About

A spreading perennial reaching heights of up to 20 cm, featuring elliptical leaves that emerge from the base. In late spring, arching stems support clusters of bell-shaped flowers in a soft mauve-pink hue, emitting a pleasant fragrance just above the foliage.

About the genus

Convallaria consists of rhizomatous perennial plants characterized by their elliptic to narrowly ovate foliage. These plants produce arching racemes that bear small, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers, which are succeeded by clusters of red berries.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full shade, Partial shade
Soil type
Clay, Loam
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Matforming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden
Native to
C & E Europe
Fragrance
Flower
Toxicity
TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in a fertile, humus-rich moist soil, preferably slightly alkaline, in full or partial shade. Top dress with leaf mould in autumn
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by division in autumn
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to swift moth caterpillar
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to grey moulds and leaf spots