Lilies of the valley are considered one of the most famous and beautiful flowers of spring. These beautiful flowers are quite rare and are listed in the Red Book as an endangered plant species. They have an unusual aroma, long stems and beautiful small buds. As soon as lilies of the valley are called in different parts of the country, the following names are also found: rejuvenating flower, mayweed, hare flower (salt, ears), forest bell. This plant is a genus of lily flowers, and the literal translation from Latin means “lily that grows in the valley.”
Description of the plant
Lily of the valley (Convallaria) is a perennial herbaceous plant.
Belongs to the asparagus family, subfamily Nolinaceae. Some botanists classify the flower as a monocot, while others classify it as a dicotyledon. Botanists have been arguing for quite some time about the subtype of this flower and distinguish between mountain lily of the valley and Keizke. The differences between the species are minimal, so it would not be a mistake to consider it a May one, since this is its main species.
If we describe the lily of the valley, then we should not forget about its root system, which is very well developed and also has many thin roots. The nodes located in the rhizome have leaves, similar to scales, of buds, thanks to which new roots appear. If you examine the vertical rhizome of the flower, you will notice that small leaves grow from it, having a dark purple or olive color on the same scaly leaves.
The leaves grow almost from the ground, and a couple of leaves come from the top of the root. The leaves themselves are very beautiful, green in color and with sharp tips. One of the leaves has a bud at its top, intended for a stem that reaches 25 cm in length, and those that gardeners grow have a stem that reaches half a meter. The plant blooms once every couple of years. The flowers themselves appear only in the seventh year; in the 10th year, a peduncle does not form. After this, 2–3 years pass and the system itself falls apart, after which individual plants are formed.
Interesting Facts
Few people will know that, for example, the lily of the valley is the national flower of Finland and is even depicted on one of the coins. And he became a symbol in 1967. The ancient Egyptians grew lilies of the valley long before the birth of Christ, but they did it almost all year round. There is archaeological evidence of this.
During the chemical attacks of World War I, lilies of the valley were used as a placebo for those who were gassed.
They themselves are very poisonous, so it is better not to smell them for a long time, and it is highly not recommended to eat them at all - at the very least you can get poisoned.
In France there was a custom where at a public event in the village. If a man invited a girl he liked to dance, he had to give her a bouquet of lilies of the valley. If she accepted him, it meant only one thing - she agreed to the relationship, walks under the moon and in general, she liked the gentleman. And if she didn’t just refuse, but threw him at his feet, it meant that the lady despised her gentleman beyond belief.
Interesting facts about this plant can be found on the pages of many old books. For example, in France, dating back to the 16th century, there is a very beautiful custom - on the first Sunday of spring, which residents call “Lily of the Valley Day,” it was customary to give bouquets of lilies of the valley or artificially made bouquets to your loved ones.
Among the peoples of the world you can find many interesting tales, beliefs and legends about the lily of the valley. Residents of neighboring countries, for example the Netherlands, claim that if newlyweds plant field lilies in their garden, they will love each other forever. The plant symbolizes the brightest feelings, sympathy.
According to many dream books, seeing this flower in a dream means that a loved one is frank with you and does not hide anything. If you see a dry flower in a dream, it means that you have very high demands on life and on the people around you, irritation and dissatisfaction. Seeing lilies of the valley in a dream means sadness and regret about past love. If a girl dreams of these flowers, it means that she will soon meet a man who will interest her. And if a man dreams of this, then it promises him success in matters of the heart.
Legends
Where the lily of the valley came from is the stuff of legends. In Rus' there was a legend about the princess of the waters of the sea, Magi, who fell in love with a simple guy named Sadko and the love turned out to be non-reciprocal, because he loved another. And the princess cried, and tears rolled down her cheeks and onto the ground. And these tears turned into unusual flowers. Thanks to this legend, lilies of the valley symbolize love, unrequited and sad.
Ancient Rome had its own legend about the appearance of lilies of the valley. It is also associated with unrequited love, but this time the lilies of the valley appeared from the drops of sweat of the goddess Diana, who was running away from the Faun, unrequitedly in love with her. In England, legends associate the appearance of lilies of the valley with the knight Leonard. Only this legend was without love: lilies of the valley began to grow where Leonard killed the dragon.
There is another very beautiful legend - forest bells sprouted from the beads of Snow White's necklace, which one day broke. Now Snow White's faithful friends the gnomes find their way home along them, which they illuminate.
This flower is especially loved by the French. They praise the lily of the valley so much that they even organize folk festivals in honor of it.
The lily of the valley is also present in love traditions. For example, it is believed that if a girl, having received this flower as a gift from a man, pins it to her hair or outfit, then this is a sign of consent to become the wife of this man. The dropped lily of the valley signals the girl’s refusal.
There is another beautiful legend about a large scarlet berry. It appears on the site of fallen petals after the May lily blooms. Once upon a time there lived a young man with the beautiful name Lily of the Valley. And Spring gave him an amazing gift - an inexhaustible ability to love life. He was very grateful to her for such a gift. He told her a lot of kind words and Spring could not resist him and fell in love with him. But, as you know, Spring is not a permanent girl. Giving everyone her affection, she could not stay with him for long. After her departure, Lily of the Valley was inconsolable - his tears turned into beautiful flowers, and the blood of his loving heart gave the berries a red color.
Lily of the valley has several more amazing properties. For example, those gathered on the new moon in the early morning will be a sign of passion and ardent love. If you want a man to be more affectionate and gentle, then place May lily flowers collected on the waxing moon next to his bed. Such a bouquet will have the opposite effect on a woman - she will become more emotional.
Well, if your goal is to add some sparkle to your relationship, then give the girl a bouquet of lilies of the valley on the eve of the new moon - this will make her more depraved and lustful.
The lily of the valley may be a beautiful flower, but it also has truly beneficial properties. It is used in the production of herbal medicines. Also, it is overgrown with all sorts of legends, like other medicinal plants. Among them is the belief that an infusion of these flowers is a panacea and helps against all diseases, which made it a very expensive plant.
When do lilies of the valley bloom?
It is not for nothing that this flower is called “May”. The beginning of flowering occurs precisely in this month. Duration is 2 – 3 weeks. The buds bloom from bottom to top. Of course, flowering does not begin exactly on May 1 - it all depends on the climate, weather and other factors. In cold regions, this period can begin as early as mid-June.
Lilies of the valley begin to bloom in May if the climate is good. In cold climates they bloom a little later in June.
This lasts 3 – 4 weeks, while the aroma of the flower gives off the scent of spring and is incomparable to anything else. And their color (snow-white) gives a feeling of purity, purity and romance.
But this flower produces scarlet berries in the fall, ranging in size from 5 to 9 mm. Each berry consists of three chambers, each of which contains a pair of seeds. These fruits stay on the flower for quite a long time and are very popular with rodents, but for most animals, as well as for humans, they are dangerous and even poisonous.
What does lily of the valley look like?
This May flower reminds everyone of spring, because its aroma is closely associated with this time of year. Outwardly, it looks like a fragile plant, but this impression is deceptive: its stem can easily pierce a strong stone or asphalt. One stem bears several bells (from 6 to 20). It reproduces very quickly, and climate does not play a key role for it - with its ability to take root, this is not difficult.
How many leaves does lily of the valley have?
In early spring, tightly collected lily of the valley leaves rise. Curious flora lovers ask the question: “how many leaves does a lily of the valley have?” The plant most often produces two leaves, but in rare cases the lily of the valley can produce three leaves. The above-ground shoots of the forest bell have a simple structure: the lower leaves are at the base of the shoot, two or three large oblong-shaped lily of the valley leaves are located near the roots, and between them, on the root, there is a large bud from which a peduncle grows.
The romantic plant evokes delight; legends have always been dedicated to it, canvases have been written about it, and poems have been written about it. The most famous poem was written by the poet Afanasy Fet, “The First Lily of the Valley,” which makes the reader see the beauty and sophistication of the forest bell.
Where does the May lily of the valley grow?
On the map of Europe you can find many places where this flower grows. These cute bushes with fragile stems can be found in clearings in forests of various types, in meadows and fields that are located next to rivers. It is worth noting once again that lilies of the valley are rare and endangered species, are listed in the Red Book and are protected by law.
Description of lily of the valley
This is a plant of the lily family, characterized by a powerful, despite the low above-ground part, creeping rhizome. It makes the flower persistent, capable of capturing more and more new areas over time, turning into an amazingly beautiful clearing in a few years. Large delicate leaves and small white flowers, like beads, hanging down a tall thin stem - this is what the May lily of the valley (official name Convallaria Majalis) is familiar to many. However, thanks to the work of breeders, today it is possible to purchase unusual varieties of this spring flower. For example, Convallaria Albostrita with striped leaves or Convallaria Rosea with delicate pink flowers, sometimes also having double edges, look very unusual.
Habitat of the flower
Where do lilies of the valley grow? The distribution area of the flower covers all countries of Europe, the Caucasus, part of Asia and North America.
This shade-loving plant prefers to grow in coniferous, deciduous or mixed forests. You can see clearings and forest edges dotted with white bells. For good flower development, fertile, well-moistened soil is necessary. In habitats untouched by humans, lily of the valley grows quickly and intensively. The plant has long been a domestic plant; gardeners learned to cultivate it many years ago. New varieties have been obtained, differing in larger or double flowers, as well as in their color.
The plant, which lives near populated areas, is almost constantly subject to destruction. This is due to its frequent collection as a medicinal raw material and due to trampling during people's frequent visits to forests. That is why the flower was listed in the Red Book.
Flowering period and smell
Lilies of the valley bloom for a very short time. This period takes a maximum of 20 days. We can talk about what lily of the valley looks like already at this time. The lower flowers bloom first, followed by the upper ones. Flowering time depends on natural conditions. Flowering begins in spring in mid-May and ends in mid-June. By this time the blooms are darkening. An ovary begins to form in the inflorescences, from which a large dark red berry then develops. It is called a fruit. The size of this berry is 6-8 mm in diameter. Each of its three chambers contains 1 or 2 seeds. The ripening of the berries ends by mid-July. They are food for some birds and animals, although they can be very poisonous to humans.
The smell of flowers is fresh and tart. The subtle aroma of this plant is often used in the perfume industry to create the most exquisite fragrances.
Types and varieties
Researchers claim that this species is far from being of the same type (that is, consisting of one species, “Maysky”). They argue based on differences in the structure of flowers, which is associated both with the climate in which the flowers grow and with the place where they grow.
May lily of the valley
May lily of the valley
The most famous and widespread type of lily of the valley. It mainly grows on the edges of forests of all types. It has a horizontal arrangement of the root system; thin roots predominate in large quantities. They are located practically without deepening into the ground.
During wintering, only the rhizomes themselves remain in the ground. A pair of leaves that originate from the root end with a sharp end. The height of such a plant reaches 30 cm. The buds themselves are located on a kind of “footstand”, with teeth along the top and bottom. The color of the buds is delicate white, they have a unique, alluring aroma. The berries are rather red-red in color, size 5-9 mm. They bloom in May and bear fruit in the fall.
Despite its cute appearance and wonderful smell, it is a poisonous plant: it contains the plant poison convallatoxin. Even in the form of medications, in case of overdose, it causes poisoning. Those plants that were not grown in the wild have many varieties.
Here are some of them:
- Albostriata. This variety differs in color. This is expressed in beige stripes on the leaves;
- Aurea. The leaves are bright yellow;
- Aureovariegata. Along the leaves of this variety there are stripes of yellow or sand color;
- Flora Plena. The height of this variety is about 25 - 30 cm, and the buds themselves are much larger - 12 pieces on average, compared to ordinary ones - they are much larger;
- Grandiflora. Differs in much larger buds and larger leaves;
- Green Tapestry. It is distinguished by very bright yellow-light green leaves;
- Hofheim. The edges of the leaves of this variety are pale brown;
- Prolificans. There are many more buds than on wild lily of the valley. Flowering lasts about two months, the size of the plant is small;
- Rosea. It is a pink lily of the valley. There are also more buds, about 12-14 pieces.
Mountain
Mountain lily of the valley
This type of lily of the valley grows primarily in the mountainous regions of North America. It has a developed root component, and the stem itself is much shorter. The leaves emanating from the root reach a length of 40 cm, and the width is about 4 cm. The number of buds themselves varies, the range is from 5 to 16 pieces, no more than 9 mm long. Also, in autumn, red berries grow, about 8 mm in size.
Lily of the valley Keizke
Lily of the valley Keizke
This lily of the valley grows in forests where moss is found in abundance. It can also often be found at forest cutting sites, in fields near rivers. The main aura is Siberia and the Far East. It can also be found on Sakhalin, near the Amur River (both from Russia and from China). The rhizome is much longer than others. Closer to the root, the plant is brown or green. The stem reaches 20 cm in length, and the leaves (from the root) reach 15 cm. The buds are much larger than those of other lilies of the valley, about 1 cm, and their number is about 10 pieces.
4.Planting and care in open ground
4.1.When and how to plant
Planting in open ground is carried out in the first half of autumn so that the plants take root in the new place before the onset of frost or in the spring. Flowers planted in the fall will be ready to bloom next year, but spring plantings will not bloom until the following season.
A semi-shaded place is suitable for planting lilies of the valley - the plant does not like direct sun. When grown in deep shade, flowering will become too sparse, and in direct sun during the daytime the leaves will burn.
The site should have good moisture, but the soil should not be flooded. Alpine hills and other rocky areas where the soil allows moisture to pass through too easily are not suitable for lily of the valley.
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The soil is loosened and weeds are removed. As food, add a sufficient amount of turf and leaf humus, as well as well-rotted cow or horse manure.
If the soil on the site is highly acidic, then it is first spilled with lime milk or mixed with dolomite flour. Additionally, well-rotted organic matter or superphosphate granules are added to the soil.
Since plants quickly fill the area provided to them and move on, taking over all the free space, before planting it makes sense to fence the area with a special garden tape or iron, digging it into the ground. Since the roots can lie at a decent depth, such a fence should also be dug in at about 50 - 60 cm.
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Depending on the planting scheme, holes are prepared, maintaining a distance between bushes of about 10 cm. Plants are placed in holes with straightened roots, making sure that even small roots are not bent upward or broken. The flowers are sprinkled with soil on top so that they end up at a depth of 1 - 2 cm. If there are young shoots and leaves on the rhizomes, then they should protrude above the surface of the soil.
The soil around the bushes is lightly compacted and then the plantings are watered abundantly. Lily of the valley can also be mulched with fallen leaves so that after watering the moisture does not evaporate too quickly. In general, high soil moisture should be monitored especially carefully during the first month after planting.
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4.2.Caring for lily of the valley in the garden
Further care of the planted flowers will consist of timely watering (the soil should not dry out during the period of growth and budding), weeding and loosening the soil. After watering, the soil surface is loosened and weeds are removed. When loosening, you should be careful - the rhizomes of the lily of the valley are quite close to the surface of the soil. Interestingly, large plants, having formed entire colonies, will no longer need weeding - they successfully fight weeds on their own.
In preparation for cold weather, the rhizomes of lilies of the valley planted this year are mulched with a small layer of humus and leaf litter with the onset of the first night frosts. In the spring, immediately after the snow melts, last year's dry lily of the valley leaves are simply collected with a rake. Constantly growing in the same place, lilies of the valley tolerate even fairly severe frosts well and do not need additional shelter.
In the garden, in the same place, lily of the valley can grow for 10 years without replanting - then the plantings become too crowded and should be divided when replanting. Division and transplantation are usually carried out until mid-autumn.
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Care
Lily of the valley is an unpretentious plant that does not require any special care or constant monitoring.
The only thing you need to watch out for is that in hot and dry weather you need to constantly water the plant, but if this is not done, flowering may be delayed or the entire plant will wither.
Also, after fertilizing or watering, you need to weed the weeds around the lily of the valley. Humidity should always be increased. The soil should have a rich content of organic fertilizers and acidity should be minimal. Before planting this crop, the area where the crop will be planted must be cultivated to a depth of 40 cm. Before planting, you need to fertilize the soil with special fertilizers.
After sowing, about a month later, you need to re-fertilize the soil with organic matter, but not with mineral fertilizers. A year later, the land is fertilized again with organic matter (with nitrogen) in the spring. In the first month of summer, fertilize again with organic matter. Only in the third year will lilies of the valley begin to bloom. Unfortunately, this cannot be accelerated.
Lilies of the valley grow very quickly, occupying the largest flowering area. To avoid this, it is necessary to dig a barrier, for example, made of steel, into the ground. The depth must be at least a meter. In such a fenced area, lilies of the valley will grow for about 10 years. When cutting, you must remember that this plant will take nutrients from the water from other flowers, which will lead to rapid withering.
Origin of the word lily of the valley
There is information that since the plant was classified as a monocot, the superkingdom Liliaceae, the scientist Carl Linnaeus named it Lilium Convallium.
Translated, it means “lily that grows in the valley.” There is no consensus on the origin of the name of the flower. Some scientists claim that it came from Polish, in which the name sounds like “lanuszka” due to the similarity of the pointed leaves with the ears of a doe. Others compare it to the combination of the words “incense” and “to breathe” due to the smell of flowers. Therefore, one of the types of lilies of the valley was called fragrant. Another group of scientists believes that the name comes from the fact that the petals of the plant are completely smooth, so it was called “smooth”. Lily of the valley was developed in the 15th century. This flower has many varieties.
Why don't lilies of the valley bloom?
One of the main reasons for this problem is both the lack of normal sunlight and its excess. These flowers should grow in relative shade, so when planting them it is important to take into account how much time they will spend both in the light and in the shade.
For normal growth, a moist environment is also necessary, so they should be watered frequently. On dry soil, especially mountainous or rocky soil, the plant will take root poorly and may even wither away. This culture is good with transplants, but you shouldn’t abuse it either.
Since the lily of the valley covers every piece of land, over time the planting area will increase and you will get a very beautiful flower bed.
Lilies of the valley are poisonous plants
Therefore, we remind you once again: wear gloves when you are replanting them, explain to the children that there are these red berries and that they should under no circumstances chew these beautiful leaves. And even after reading popular literature about the benefits of lily of the valley preparations, do not try to prepare them. And with ready-made pharmaceutical medicines containing an extract from poisonous lily of the valley, be careful, use them only as prescribed by a doctor and in the indicated dosage.
Diseases and pests
The main disease of lily of the valley is considered to be a parasite known as “Grey rot”. It covers both the leaves and the flowers themselves. If plants are located close to each other, in poorly ventilated rooms or greenhouses, then you can catch a fungus. To avoid this, you need to carefully plant flowers, avoiding those that are already affected by the disease.
When gray rot appears, it is better not to cut off the affected area, but to remove the entire plant. Of course, now for better protection they use special means - reagents.
Gleosporiasis is a dangerous disease for plants. It looks like beige spots with a brown border on the leaves. The main way to avoid damage to other plants is to cut off the problem leaf. Another option for prevention is spraying with fungicides.
Insects - pests such as beetles (leaf eaters), sawflies. Also, if a beetle lays larvae, they can gnaw and destroy the stem itself, which will lead to the loss of the plant. If a lesion is detected, if it is not critical, you can either ignore it or remove the entire plant. Such problems should be prevented at the preparation stage: regular application of reagents that kill insects. This also applies to the fact that beetles lay larvae: special means kill parasites.
Timely and high-quality care for any flowers, including lilies of the valley, is very important. Care means both watering and fertilizing plants, cleaning the soil from weeds and maintaining a distance from nearby plants. If all this is left to chance, then the risk of diseases getting onto the plant will be much higher. Nutritional deficiencies can be easily noticed by the characteristic yellow color of the stem and leaves.
Botanical description
The lily of the valley plant blooms in May-June for about two weeks. It reaches a height of 20-25 cm. The rhizome of lily of the valley is thin and creeping, numerous roots have a fibrous structure. The leaves of the lily of the valley, of which there are from one to three, are oval-oblong, broadly lanceolate, retain a lush green color until the end of July, then turn yellow and wither. The peduncle of the lily of the valley, which is formed from a flower bud, has a triangular cross-section in its upper part and is twisted in a spiral. Snow-white, fragrant, clustered flowers of 8-12 pieces are small bells 4 mm long and 5 mm wide with short stamens. By the end of flowering, the lily of the valley inflorescence darkens, the ovary appears - three-chambered lily of the valley berries, each of which contains 3-6 seeds. Lily of the valley seeds are poisonous, like the rest of the plant.
- Yucca at home
Planting and propagation
Lily of the valley is a very unpretentious flower, so no special knowledge or skills are required for planting. The location in which to plant them should be balanced in terms of shade and sunlight. Reproduction occurs both with the help of fruits (berries) and with the help of underground rhizomes. Reproduction is quite fast.
These crops are planted in early to mid-autumn.
The soil is pre-plowed, adding fertilizers and creating humus. For planting, rhizomes with buds are needed, but leaves in bunches (buds) are also suitable. This must be done in such a way as to prevent excesses. If there are sprouts, they should protrude, and no more than 2 cm should be covered. This crop is planted in rows, keeping a distance of 9 - 12 cm. But, by the way, sowing in the spring is also allowed.
Forcing lilies of the valley
If we talk about garden varieties that are used for forcing, then they are planted and cultivated in such a way that they bloom in the off-season. But field lilies of the valley do not like any experiments.
To plant garden lilies of the valley, the soil and the material itself are prepared in the fall. Cuttings are prepared, the length of which should not exceed 4-5 cm, and stems with a clearly visible ellipsoidal bud are cut from the rhizomes. After this, the cuttings should be placed in a warm room, in a box, and they should be positioned strictly vertically and with sand.
When stored in cold climates, additional insulation is required, for which the same straw is used.
Winter forcing should take place with the treatment of plants with wet crops, such as moss. After this, the blanks are placed in a room with a temperature of -1 degree for 21 days. Then, on day 22, the sprouts are placed in warm water, the temperature of which should not exceed 35 degrees.
If we talk about wild lilies of the valley (field), then forcing is a little different. They should be placed in boxes, but with soil rich in organic matter. The layer should be 4 – 6 cm. Moreover, the vertical arrangement is not important. The buds should stick out half a centimeter from the ground. After this, warm water is poured into the box in large quantities and moss is added.
Next, all this is placed in a dark and warm (30 degrees) room. The soil should be about 20 degrees. The seedlings should be watered several times a day with water (28 - 32 degrees), after which they should be ventilated. The temperature should always be around 30 degrees, so watering should be regular. When the lower bud receives color, the water temperature is lowered to 15 - 17 degrees.
Transfer
Frequent transplants are undesirable, because lily of the valley does not tolerate it well - the roots are damaged. But if a transplant is still needed, then it must be done in early autumn. The soil should be ready at this moment, also having fertilizer. Flowers are also planted in rows, but the distance should be at least 20 cm. The main thing is to replant the first few flowers - then everything will go much easier and faster.
Landing
Planting is done either in early autumn or early spring. The distance between each plant should be approximately 9–11 cm; it is not advisable to bend the roots. The sprinkling of soil on the sprouts should be small: from 1 to 2 cm. After this is completed, the planting site should be watered. When the first cold weather sets in, the area with lilies of the valley is covered with ground peat or humus. If the flowers were planted in the spring, they will not bloom this year.
Reproduction
Reproduction occurs both through rhizomes and seeds. Much more often, of course, the rhizome is involved. If flowers were planted using rhizomes, then flowering should be expected in the third year, but if the seeds were used, then after 6–7 years.
To apply the first method, rhizomes are taken that have buds and roots. The sprouts that have buds, as well as the diameter of the sprouts themselves, depend directly on the age of the root system.
You can divide the roots in autumn and spring if you do not want to kill the plant. Planting such a crop is far from a quick process, as is caring for them.
Lily of the valley on the windowsill
If you wish, lovers of indoor plants can enjoy the beautiful view and wonderful aroma of the flower even in winter. This is quite feasible if in the fall you take care of selecting good seedlings and creating the conditions necessary for forcing lily of the valley by a certain date, for example, by the New Year or March 8th.
First of all, you need to carefully examine the rhizomes: they should be strong and blunt-ended. Before the onset of cold weather, it is better to store them in a shady place or cellar, placing them in a box, sprinkled with moss and moistened. Then they can be moved to the basement (if possible), where they will lie until the right time.
In order for the future plant to bloom earlier and more abundantly, it is recommended to prepare it for planting in a pot, namely, keep the rhizomes for a week at a temperature of 5-6 degrees (a refrigerator is quite suitable here). The further calculation is simple. Planting in a pot is carried out about a month before the desired flowering. The best way to do this is to cut the roots to 12 cm and place them in warm water. After 14-15 hours they can be planted in moist soil. The pot, covered with an opaque jar, is left in a fairly warm place (up to 30 degrees) until flower stalks appear. Now the main thing is not to forget to spray the soil daily so that it does not dry out.
Lily of the valley flowers with already formed leaves and then buds feel great on the windowsill, you just need to remember to water them regularly.
The magnificent, incomparable appearance of delicate green bushes, strewn, at first glance, with fragile white or pinkish bells; a persistent, intoxicating aroma wafting throughout the garden; unpretentiousness and the ability to adapt to new conditions - such is the lily of the valley. Which flower to choose for growing in the garden depends solely on the preferences of the gardener. Some people prefer the familiar May lily, others carefully study the results of the work of breeders and strive to grow a lily of the valley of an unusual shape on their plot. In any case, their efforts will fully pay off. After all, there is nothing more pleasant than, soon after the snow has melted, to see a flowerbed in front of the house with the first spring flowers blooming and emanating fragrance.
Use in medicine
The medicinal properties of these plants have long been known. They provide more than 30 cardiac glycosides, convallotoxin, convallotoxol and others. This is due to the presence of glycosides throughout the flower. The flower also contains other elements (calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, cobalt, etc.), which are very necessary. Because it contains essential oil, aspirin, and household acids.
The main use of lily of the valley in pharmacology is that it has a positive effect on vascular, abdominal and other diseases. Blood circulation becomes much better, heart function normalizes, pain and spasms are relieved. They also help normalize liver function.
Those drugs that contain this herb have a positive effect, improving the quality of heart function, but reducing the number of strokes. Acts almost like an analgesic, relieving spasms and pain. It is also used against diseases such as thyroid disorders, central nervous system disorders and fever.
External use of this plant is most often to reduce back and lower back pain. This material is collected on dry days, but after the dew has disappeared. Next comes the preparation of the ground part, but the berries are not included in the preparation. The cut should be at a distance of up to 4 cm from the surface of the ground.
Drying should be done in a ventilated place, with a temperature of about 45%. Also, drying should be done on the same day, otherwise the plant will gradually die. The fruits themselves, both rhizomes and seeds, are poisonous. Therefore, at home, without knowing the proportions, it is better to cook a little more.
Contraindications
Since the plant is poisonous, it must be used with caution. In case of overdose, it causes vomiting and slows down the functioning of the heart and central nervous system. These medications should not be used by people who have the above, as well as by those who have a pathological condition. The heart muscles start from the weakest. But there are some diseases, for example, the gastrointestinal tract, which are very sensitive to certain products.
You should also not self-medicate - a referral for examination, treatment and a prescription can be obtained from your attending physician. But if poisoning does occur, it is necessary to perform gastric lavage.
Use of lily of the valley
We discussed the medicinal characteristics of this plant above. Many drugs are available only with a doctor's prescription. As a form of prevention, concentrates based on this herb are used in organic quantities. This includes actions to treat the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Special drops are made online.
But among the useful ones that are not available by prescription, we can highlight a good and aromatic flavoring oil, which has a positive effect on physical and brain activity, as well as on other activities. Acts as a pain reliever, but weak. Traditional medicine presents a list of what it does based on this drug. With its help, lily of the valley and its derivatives help with vision, blood circulation and rheumatism. This drug is also useful for people with allergies, with swelling or people who have a fever.
One of the most common products based on wild lily of the valley is an infusion. The recipe is very simple, you only need boiling water and flowers. It is done as follows: take 5 grams of lilies of the valley in a vessel with a capacity of half a liter and pour boiling water for 45 minutes. Drink one spoon a day.
One of the advantages I would like to note is that it relieves cramps and fatigue. A folk recipe for an infusion for heart pain is prepared as follows. To do this, you need a three-liter jar, into which a third of the infusion of mountain flowers is poured. Drink 12-14 drops three times a day, regardless of what you eat. For conjunctivitis, this particular solution is taken with a ratio of 1 to 10.
There is also a traditional medicine aimed at treating diseases of the cardiovascular system. To do this, take dried hawthorn flowers, wild carrot seeds, fresh buds of lily of the valley (field) and motherwort. They are mixed in the following sequence: 2.1.2.1. After this, the vessel is filled with water (1) and vodka (5), after which it is infused for two weeks, and then strained. After this, the decoction is ready for use; you need to add 22–24 drops, but into a glass of water (100 ml).
If there is a problem with the eye associated with damage to the optic nerves, as well as the retina, then traditional medicine advises making a decoction of our culture and nettles (oddly enough, the same as May nettle), but the ratio will be 1 to 5. The preparation process is very simple: prepare the product itself (raw materials), then add a spoonful of liquid and leave for 6 hours. After this, the herb is mixed with soda, but in gauze and applied to the eyes 2 times a day. The healing properties of lily of the valley are also used for better functioning of one of the most important systems of our body - the endocrine system. Therefore, for its better functioning, certain herbs are collected: lily of the valley, parsley, cocklebur. Then the solution is poured with boiling water and the time goes on for 15 minutes. When the decoction is ready, drink it three times a day half an hour before meals.
Many useful substances must go into aqueous solution. Out of 10 drinks, each one requires a glass of water and a lid. If you have neurosis, then you should brew other herbs: take one tablespoon with dry herbs, after which it is all filled with soda. They drink this three times a day, albeit from a spoon. In general, lily of the valley brews perfectly like regular tea, without sacrificing quality.
Tincture
Some experts (nutritionists, fitness doctors) talk about an excellent alcohol tincture of lilies of the valley. It is a clear liquid that is khaki in color, but closer to brown. It will taste very bitter, and the aroma will be very specific. This tincture is highly recommended for disorders of the cardiovascular system, as well as for rapid pulse (over 90 beats per minute).
In addition, it is great for depression and insomnia. After taking this tincture you will want to be happy and sleepy. This product is quite easily sold in almost any pharmacy. Doctors prescribe this drug 25-35 drops, strictly 3 times a day. In different situations and cases, in addition to the infusion, you also need to take additional medications that will help remove harmful toxins from the body much faster. An example is the famous valerian, belladonna and others.
Currently, enterprises specializing in the production of pharmaceutical products produce drops, the basis of which is actually an alcohol tincture of lily of the valley:
- Drops of lily of the valley and valerian, where the ratio is 1 to 1;
- Drops of lily of the valley and valerian, but with adoniside. Ratio 1 to 1 to 1;
- Drops of lily of the valley and valerian, but with sodium bromide. The ratio is 1 to 1, and the bromide content is 8.5%;
- Drops of lily of the valley and motherwort, and the ratio is the same, 1 to 1.
Using lily of the valley
Flowers, leaves and rhizomes of lily of the valley are used in several areas of human activity:
- in medicine;
- in perfumery and cosmetology;
- in ornamental gardening.
The flower is used as a medicinal remedy in the preparation of tinctures and potions .
Problems with the circulatory system, vascular diseases, and arrhythmia are treated by taking tinctures from the plant. Ointment and medicinal oil made from lily of the valley are used externally to treat minor burns and shallow wounds. Fever and cramps are cured by using tea made from lily of the valley flowers. It also has a sedative effect. It is necessary to use preparations prepared on the basis of lily of the valley with caution, as an overdose can cause poisoning. The aroma of lily of the valley is revered by many perfumers, but it is extracted exclusively synthetically. The distillation method is complicated by the fact that the plant contains too little essential oil. Perfumery professionals assure their clients that the smell of lily of the valley gives self-confidence, sobers the mind, allows you to think creatively and become more persistent. Flower water based on lily of the valley is used in cosmetology.
Gardeners have long been breeding various varieties of lilies of the valley , which are popular among clients of florist studios and amateur gardeners. What do new varieties of lilies of the valley look like?
A bouquet of spring flowers presented as a gift can awaken tender, sincere feelings and give a light mood. The exquisite aroma of lily of the valley will fill the room, bringing joyful notes of spring and rebirth to life.
Application in cosmetology
Cosmetologists actively use not all parts of the lily of the valley, but lily of the valley oil, which impresses with a fresh, cool, subtle aroma, incomparable to any other. Lily of the valley essential oil is added to cosmetic products that can restore skin and hair tone, improve microcirculation, strengthen capillary walls, and relieve congestion.
Creams, balms, tonics and other cosmetic products are saturated with oil. The result of using cosmetics is visible: with oil, the skin becomes softer and well-groomed, beautifully smooth and clean.
Recipe for a mask for dry hair: mix one yolk, 50 ml of honey, 5 ml of lily of the valley essential oil, then apply the mixture to the hair, from roots to ends, cover the head with plastic for 15 minutes. Wash off the mask with warm water and shampoo.
After this procedure, hair gains elasticity and shine. Recipe for tonic for dry skin: add 100 ml of aloe juice, 2 drops of lily of the valley oil to 30 ml of freshly brewed green tea. This tonic is applied to the face before bed, every day.
The smell of lily of the valley in perfumery
Lily of the valley is a highly sought after scent on the perfume market. It has a very delicate and elegant aroma, with notes of freshness and the scent of living nature. With this scent it is very convenient to create different perfume palettes and compositions.
Unfortunately, the natural scent of lily of the valley has not yet been obtained, therefore all these scents are a synthetic copy of the original, which, by the way, is in no way inferior. And the inability to extract a natural aroma is due to the extremely low derivative of essential oil from lily of the valley, which makes it impossible to extract ether from it.
Modern perfumers have learned to handle the synthesized aroma of lily of the valley so much that perfumes with this base are in demand in the elite circles of our society!
Mr. Summer Resident informs: beneficial properties of lily of the valley
Lily of the valley is widely used in medicine and cosmetology.
Medicine
The healing properties of these flowers are due to their composition. Plants contain cardiac glycosides, organic acids, micro- and macroelements. Medicines made from the extract have a positive effect on the liver, thyroid gland, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract.
With proper use of drugs, heart function improves, general condition stabilizes, pain and spasms are eliminated, and water balance is normalized.
Lily of the valley is used in the treatment of viral and colds. When preparing the medicine, the above-ground parts of the plant are used.
It should be noted that the berries, rhizomes, modified shoots and seed material are poisonous.
Application in cosmetology
Lily of the valley oil is used to create cosmetics, through which:
- fight stagnation;
- increase skin tone;
- strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- stabilize microcirculation;
- cleanses pores.
Thanks to their regular use, the skin becomes smooth and well-groomed, and the hair becomes shiny and elastic. Based on the essential composition, tonics, creams, masks for hair and face are made. This list can be supplemented with perfume compositions. They are distinguished by tenderness, sophistication and freshness.
Application in landscape design
The lily of the valley has taken root so much in the culture of European society, including in Russia, that not a single park or square can do without this plant. After all, it requires almost no maintenance, but looks very presentable. They decorate all kinds of flower beds, mixing them with other flowers, making intricate patterns and other objects of decorative aesthetic beauty.
Of course, this lily of the valley is not wild and is specially grown and crossed, obtaining unusual colors and combinations. For example, pale purple flowers, which can decorate not only the holiday of citizens, but also the leisure facility itself, for example, a park. But it would seem that they bloom for only a month and that’s it – and they’re not needed. But that was not the case, almost all year long these will be beautiful, low and dense bushes, which, as a rule, are lined near sidewalks and paths and create the feeling that everything around is absolutely green!
Planting wild lilies of the valley is very ineffective due to the fact that they are of a certain color, length and character. They bloom in May, but garden ones, artificially grown, can bloom, say, in August. The main thing is that it is warm. And garden ones are much easier to combine with other plants growing in the flowerbed.
They go perfectly with ferns, when out of season they hide with it, with peonies, making the visual appearance of the flower bed unforgettable. But it is important to remember that there are not many flowers in the flowerbed next to the lilies of the valley. After all, these beautiful forest bells grow quite quickly, capturing new territories and even displacing other flowers. That’s why even in parks and squares next to the lilies of the valley there is a dividing underground wall, half a meter long.
And if you plant lilies of the valley near trees, for example, larch or linden, you will get a wonderful corner of living, even wild nature. But if you gave your loved one a bouquet of fresh, just picked lilies of the valley, you better make sure that there will be no other flowers in the vase nearby, otherwise the lilies of the valley will deprive them, drinking all the water and poisoning the neighbors with unpleasant odors. This smell can give a person a headache or make them feel uncomfortable and uneasy.
But the best solution would be to make a flowerbed of lilies of the valley in your dacha - because in this way you will get a wonderful corner of almost wild nature, the crown of which is flowers from the Red Book!
11.Note
All parts of the plant are extremely poisonous. After contact with the flower, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and keep children away from the bushes - they may be tempted by the attractive berries.
This delicate plant has attracted attention in many countries around the world. For example, in Finland, lily of the valley is considered a national plant - it is depicted on the country’s coins. The plant was bred in Ancient Egypt, and throughout the year. Flower growers in Europe began using bushes in gardens back in the 16th century.
In France, small bouquets of lilies of the valley were given to lovers and they even declared a holiday - Lily of the Valley Day, which is celebrated on the first Sunday of spring. Young people in this country also used lily of the valley to sort things out. If a girl accepted a tender bouquet from a young man, this meant that she was ready to respond to sympathy. If the girl threw the bouquet at the gentleman’s feet, then his feelings were not only rejected - she felt nothing for him except contempt.
↑ Up,
In the Netherlands, young couples planted a flower in their garden - it was considered a symbol of eternal love.
In Rus', the plant was considered a symbol of unrequited love - there was a legend that the sea princess Volkhova fell in love with Sadko, but he did not reciprocate her feelings.
Unfortunately, attracting the attention of flower traders with its early flowering and delicate appearance, the flower exposes itself to danger and is currently listed in the Red Book.
Interestingly, each plant lives for 10 - 12 years, after which it independently divides into several bushes.
Hydroponics.
Reproduction technology
Lilies of the valley can be propagated by seeds and vegetatively (cut rhizomes).
Convalia from seeds is able to form the first inflorescences only after 7 years. Seeds are sometimes sown in autumn. Planting material gives a low percentage of germination. You can plant the seeds in a container. The resulting sprouts must be carefully protected from exposure to sunlight. It is recommended to constantly moisten the soil. During the first two years, transplanting young convalia can destroy fragile shoots.
Lily of the valley seeds.
For vegetative propagation you will need to divide the root. The procedure should be carried out in the fall (before the first cold snap) or early spring. In the first year of the life cycle, only two leaves will form. Flowering will occur on average after 3 years.
To breed lily of the valley, you will need to plant the top of the rhizome in the prepared substrate. The mixture must include clean sand and clay soil. The soil should be thoroughly loosened. When planting, it is advisable to feed the soil with leaf humus. It is necessary to maintain a distance between seedlings of about 15-20 cm.
Rhizome division.
With the help of forcing you can get flowering convalias even in winter. Large-flowered representatives of the culture should be prepared for the procedure. In autumn you need to cut off the top of the rhizome. The cuttings must be placed in large containers. At least ten lilies of the valley should be planted in one container.
The pot must be transferred to the greenhouse. You need to bury the container in the sand and cover it with moss on top. The ambient temperature should remain between + 30 and + 35 degrees. It is necessary to constantly monitor the moisture content of the moss. If all conditions are met, the first inflorescences will form within 3 weeks.
Application of flower
The preparation of medicinal raw materials begins 2 weeks before the plant begins to flower. The bush is cut off entirely, leaving 3-4 cm from the ground. The root must remain in the soil, otherwise the flower will disappear. The flowering part of the forest lily of the valley is collected at the very beginning of its appearance, that is, in early May. At this time, the flowers contain a maximum of useful substances.
The collected material is dried immediately in order to preserve all the healing properties. When drying is delayed, the glycosides are broken down and the raw material becomes practically useless. Dry the collected lily of the valley in a well-ventilated area without access to direct rays of light. Hanging structures are good. The most suitable temperature for the drying process is 50 to 60 degrees Celsius with constant ventilation and agitation. When the raw material becomes brittle enough, it is promptly placed in paper bags. Dried lily of the valley is used in pharmacology.
In the perfume industry, despite its attractive aroma, the plant has not found wide use. Synthetic odor substitutes turned out to be cheaper and richer.
Planting garden lilies of the valley is done extremely rarely, despite the fact that they require virtually no care. This is due to its poisonous properties.
Interesting facts about lily of the valley:
- A huge number of myths, fairy tales, and legends are known about the lily of the valley. One of them explains why green lily of the valley berries turn orange or red in late summer. The flower grieved very much, mourning the past spring. Small green “tears” were rolling down from his eyes. At the end of the summer, his “heart” could not stand it, and blood gushed out of it, coloring his “tears.”
- In one of the Brothers Grimm's fairy tales, Snow White's necklace fell apart when she was running away from her evil stepmother. The beads that fell on the grass turned into fragrant snow-white inflorescences of lily of the valley. The gnomes used these flowers as lanterns, and they served as shelter for cheerful sunbeams at night.
- The myths of Ancient Rome mention a story that once happened to the beautiful goddess Diana. Carried away by the pursuit of game, she found herself in an unfamiliar forest. The fauns living there tried to catch her. From the fast and long run, fragrant droplets of sweat appeared on the goddess’s body, which, touching the ground, immediately turned into fragrant flowers.
- The British have their own history of the appearance of this plant. These are drops of the blood of St. Leonard, the patron saint of forests, fields and meadows, who fought an evil dragon. Therefore, in England, lilies of the valley symbolize holiness and purity.
- Since the mid-16th century, every Sunday at the very beginning of spring, the French have celebrated “Lily of the Valley Day.” People give each other small real or embroidered bouquets, exchange souvenirs and postcards with images or symbols of these flowers.
- The Dutch believe that if lilies of the valley are planted in the newlyweds' garden or home, their love will not fade away, but will bloom again and again in the spring.
- Few people know that the famous astronomer and mathematician Nicolaus Copernicus was also an excellent doctor. Therefore, in many ancient portraits, artists depicted him holding a bouquet of snow-white lilies of the valley in his hands, which is a symbol of a skilled healer.
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Lily of the valley price
| Varieties of lily of the valley | Cost for 1 piece, rub |
| May lily of the valley Convallaria majális Green Tapestry | 250 |
| May lily of the valley Convallaria majális Grandiflora | 250 |
| May lily of the valley Convallaria majális Prolificans | 280 |
| May lily of the valley Convallaria majális Albostriata | 280 |
| May lily of the valley Convallaria majális Hofheim | 250 |
| May lily of the valley Convallaria majális Rosea | 280 |
| May lily of the valley Convallaria majális Flore Plena | 280 |
The influence of lilies of the valley
The fragile plant is very poisonous. Miniature inflorescences that seem harmless at first glance can lead to serious consequences. Blooming convalia in the bedroom can cause migraines, difficulty breathing, rhinitis, swelling and other allergic manifestations. It is not recommended to grow the plant in a home with children.
The aroma of convalia can cause poisoning.
Lily of the valley berries contain a high concentration of a toxic substance. Eating the fruit causes poisoning. It is necessary to rinse the stomach, take the sorbent and seek help from a medical center.
Where do lilies of the valley grow?
Lily of the valley is a perennial plant of the Asparagus family. However, this specific flower changed its affiliation four times.
At first, thanks to the name Lilium convallium, this plant was classified as a member of the Liliaceae family. Later, due to the monotypic nature of the plant, that is, the composition of the genus with only one species, it was allocated to the Landyshev genus. Since 2003, the lily of the valley has been in the Iglitsev family, and since 2013 - the Asparagus family.
In nature, lily of the valley grows in Europe, Asia, and North America. As a rule, the habitat of this forest flower is deciduous, pine, mixed forests, bushes, oak forests, mountain slopes, edges and clearings . In spring they bloom especially well in fairly humid places with loose soil, not oversaturated with humus.
The rejuvenator is popular as a decorative flower in the garden and flower beds. Since this is a forest flower, it tolerates unpretentious conditions very well. The best places for their distribution will be areoles under trees and bushes in the shade .
Lilies of the valley are very unpretentious
But in large shade it will bloom poorly. It is worth remembering that lily of the valley grows very quickly and can quite easily crowd out other flowers in the neighborhood. Periodic fertilizing with organic fertilizer is advisable. The plant is quite frost-resistant and does not require additional special care in preparation for winter. It can grow in one place for up to 10 years.
What does the May lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) look like?
The botanical description of the May lily of the valley plant consists of listing its external characteristics:
- Plant height - at least 20 cm.
- The thin root has many basal branches, the so-called shoots.
- The leaf begins directly at the root. The shape is elongated, oblong.
- Flowering is short, no more than 30 days. Inflorescences form in May.
- Lily of the valley berries are red and appear in late summer and early autumn.
Description of the plant in specialized literature
Which family does it belong to?
The lily of the valley flower family is Liliaceae. This section has several other names - lily or lily-flowered. Distinctive features - all plants of this family are monocots, the leaves are linear, always long, endowed with rhizomes, bulbs or corms.
On a note. These flowers grow almost everywhere. Representatives of the lily family can be found anywhere in the world.
For many years, disputes have not subsided whether lilies of the valley are included in the Red Book or not. There is no clear answer. This is due to the variety of varieties, only some of which are subject to protection.
Some breeders insist that the species still belongs to the Asparagus family. In Russia, the plant has many “folk” names: rejuvenator, shirt, rejuvenator and others.
Briefly about the history of appearance
The first mention of the flower dates back to the 16th century. North America is considered its homeland. The lily of the valley Convallaria majalis was introduced into Russia in the 18th century.
The Latin name Lilium convallium was given by Carl Linnaeus, the translation reads - lily of the valleys.
On a note. For the last 100 years, the lily of the valley has been the national flower symbol of Finland.
Plant characteristics
Despite its elegant and sophisticated appearance, May lily of the valley must be grown with the utmost care. The dacha plot will be completely filled with this plant in literally 2-3 years.
Lily of the valley flowers are perennials that have a “hard temperament” and an aggressive character. Due to the highly developed rhizome, they will multiply in the area very quickly and it will be almost impossible to remove them.
The May lily of the valley is credited with a lot of useful medicinal qualities. It is used in both folk and traditional medicine. Flower squeeze is used in cosmetology and perfume industry.
Interesting fact. The plant is beautiful not only during the period of active flowering, but also after. Wide leaf blades, painted in rich green, are also an excellent decoration for the garden.
