Leaves like a lily of the valley what kind of plant. Delicate spring flower - lily of the valley

To begin with, let's look at what the lily of the valley looks like, and also dwell on a brief biological description of this herb.

Soil for lilies of the valley

It is advisable to prepare the substrate for planting in advance, a year before planting or in the spring. The cultivated soil layer should be quite deep (25-30 cm).

Lilies of the valley prefer well-drained, light or medium loamy, cool, moist, slightly acidic (pH 5). But the plant also grows well on neutral soils. Strongly acidic soil is limed in advance.

In addition to lime, add peat, manure or humus, as well as a little simple and. In the summer, keep the area fallow, do not let the land overgrow. Before planting, do not forget to loosen the soil.

Planting a flower

Lilies of the valley can be grown from seeds, but it is better to transplant them whole or use the method of dividing the rhizomes.

Timing

It is advisable to plant in the fall. Nevertheless, they take root well in the case of spring planting.

autumn The best time for planting is August-September. If you are doing autumn planting, then sow on or in two months. Before planting, mow the greens, and plant the roots in the ground. Beans will help to enrich and accumulated in tubers on the roots.

spring Spring planting is also acceptable. Actually in the spring you can easily find planting material. The optimal landing time in this case is April-May. However, when planting in the spring, they can get sick. Young shoots will take root more easily. open field if you prepare in the fall land plot, and in the spring you will dig up before landing. Also, cover the sprouts overnight with plastic wrap to protect them from early spring frosts.

Planting scheme

Prepare the material for planting: divide the root into segments 3-5 cm long with several apical eyes (buds). Choose such cuttings, in which the apical eye is large and rounded.
do not need to. Dig a wide (about 20 cm) fence along the border of the site. If there is a threat of fluid stagnation, use ordinary branches to organize.
On segments of roots, shorten thin roots.
Place the cuts in holes about 3 cm deep at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other.
Fill the holes with fertile soil and leaf humus.

Important! Please note that the apical eyes (buds) should be covered with a 1-2 cm layer of earth.

As for when lilies of the valley bloom, the first buds are expected in the month of May. The grass blooms for only two weeks. Thus, the flowering phase will last until early June.

Proper care of lilies of the valley in the garden

After planting, the rooting stage begins, which lasts for one month. During this period, use organic, but substances will be appropriate only after a year. Lilies of the valley are unpretentious, so do not saturate them with unnecessary chemicals.

The main rule of care is timely and regular. However, do not allow excessive dampness. Produce as soon as the soil around the flowers dries. In dry summer weather, irrigation procedures should be frequent.

Keep the land in a loose and weed-free condition. It is desirable to get rid of manually.

Important! All parts of the lily of the valley are, they contain the poison convallatoxin. The maximum accumulation of poison was found in. The fruits are not to be eaten. Do not let young children play with this herb. And in order to avoid headaches, a vase with is not recommended to be placed in. All work on planting and caring for the plant must be carried out with gloves.

What to do after flowering?

Lilies of the valley are aggressive. Despite their external fragility, they have excellent "punching" properties and spread very actively. By planting only a few roots in the ground, you will get a plant filled with fragrant grass.

May lily of the valley and the Red Book - these two concepts have long been a single entity. The love of people for a fragrant plant with small white bells collected in elegant inflorescences has brought the lily of the valley to the brink of extinction. It is believed that the appearance of lilies of the valley is a message about the arrival of summer. As a result, this plant has become firmly established on the alarming list of endangered species.

Systematics, signs and distribution

This plant belongs to the herbaceous genus. Scientists have long been trying to put things in order in the taxonomy of this single species of the genus. It would seem that there is nothing to put in place - if there is only one view, then there is nowhere to put things in order.

However, the problem is that this species grows in regions separated from each other by insurmountable isolating barriers.

The range of lily of the valley is extensive. These plants can be found in almost all of Europe, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, China, North America.

The Russian part of the range is represented by the European part, the mountainous Crimea, Transbaikalia, the southern part of the Far East, including Sakhalin and the Kuriles.

Such a large scatter of habitats forms isolation between different populations, which is the main factor in speciation. For this reason certain types Transcaucasian and mountain lilies of the valley, as well as Keiske lily of the valley (Far East) are recognized.

Short description May lily of the valley looks like this:

Perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 20-35 cm.
Reproduction is sexual and vegetative. The latter is carried out due to the creeping rhizome, which in upper layers soil hides pale grassroots leaves, ready to begin active growth as soon as the illumination of this place becomes optimal.
The root system is represented by many fibrous roots.
Above-ground shoots are short. Their structure is simple. At the base of the shoot are lower leaves. They are followed by 2-3 large whole oblong-elliptical basal leaves. Between them there is always a large bud on the rhizome.
The peduncle emerges from the corner of the lower leaf. Inflorescence - brush, consisting of 7-18 flowers facing one direction. The stem is mostly leafless, sometimes small leaves may appear under the inflorescence.
The flowers are simple, sessile, round-bell-shaped. In length, the flower reaches no more than 8 mm, in width - 6 mm. They have a delicate aroma. The color is always white, but slightly pinkish flowers are also found.
Lily of the valley fruits are spherical berries similar to lingonberries. Inside the fruit are two spherical seeds. Berries appear two months after flowering, that is, in June or early July.

This characteristic of the lily of the valley allows them to be well identified without being confused with other plants. However, bouquets of flowers called pink lilies of the valley sometimes appear in the markets. They are sold at a higher price as more rare and original. However, these pink flowers have nothing to do with lilies of the valley. Wintergreens are most often sold under the guise of lilies of the valley. If at the same time wrap a bunch of lily of the valley leaves, you get a pink lily of the valley that does not exist in nature.

Places of growth

Where do lilies of the valley grow? Yes, wherever there is or most recently were broad-leaved, coniferous or mixed forests. Most lily-of-the-valley meadows can be found in mixed or deciduous forests.

The fact is that these plants love moderately moist soil rich in organic matter. In addition, they need good lighting, but with occasional shading.

All these conditions the best way combined on forest edges and glades. If lily-of-the-valley glades are found in a meadow where there seems to be no forest, this means that a few years ago there were trees, shade and annually falling leaves that formed the forest floor, in which the rhizome of the lily of the valley grows well.

If bouquets of lilies of the valley are constantly collected at this place, cows graze and agricultural burnings are held annually, then lilies of the valley will soon disappear here. Grasses and sedges will come in their place. So these plants got into the Red Book.

The medicinal properties of the plant

Lily of the valley is a poisonous plant, and completely. That is why it is so dangerous not to know which berries are edible and which are not. But the red fruit of the lily of the valley seems so tasty.

This plant contains a strong glycoside convallatoxin. However, the presence of toxins is no reason to refuse such medicinal plant like lily of the valley. After all, drugs are made even from dope and belladonna.

Preparations based on May lily of the valley are made from the ground parts of the plant. Raw materials are harvested at the very beginning of flowering, when the buds are just beginning to bloom. Inflorescences are cut at a level of about 3 cm from the location of the lowest flower. The leaves must be cut at the level of the lower film plates. It is forbidden to pull out the whole plant at once with the root. This will kill its rhizome, making it impossible to continue vegetative reproduction.

Lily of the valley - poisonous plant, and poisons are treated

You need to collect raw materials with clean hands so that you do not wash the leaves and flowers later. Water will reduce medicinal properties and provoke the appearance of putrefactive processes. Dry flowers with leaves in a ventilated area without access to direct sunlight.

Lily of the valley contains:

flavonoids;
alkaloids;
cardiac glycosides;
steroidal saponins;
coumarins;
organic acids;
starch;
essential oil.

This composition allows the use of preparations from May lily of the valley for a whole range of diseases. They are commonly used to treat:

spasms of any origin;
hypertension;
liver diseases;
cholecystitis;
dropsy in heart failure;
epilepsy;
paralysis;
spastic headaches;
thyroid diseases;
edema of any origin;
cardiosclerosis;
fever;
rheumatism;
neuroses;
chronic insomnia,
bronchial asthma;
throat diseases,
myocardial dystrophy;
malaria.

With all these diseases, lily of the valley is used both in pure form and in combination with other ingredients.

Contraindications and side effects

If you are not confident in your knowledge, then it is better not to take on the collection of natural raw materials from lilies of the valley. Otherwise, your medicine may become a poison.

Lily of the valley preparations should be used with extreme caution, observing all the dosages of doctors.

An overdose of drugs from lily of the valley causes many unpleasant consequences. These include:

nausea;
vomit;
violation of the heart rhythm (mainly bradycardia);
dizziness;
convulsions;
extrasystole;
noise in ears;
arrhythmia;
stomach ache;
pupil dilation;
irresistible drowsiness and weakness;
heart failure.

When the first signs of an overdose appear, it is urgent to rinse the stomach, drink adsorbents, and make an enema. However, all this is done before the arrival of the doctor. Do not hope that everything will work out, be sure to seek medical help. Otherwise, lily of the valley treatment may cost you too much.

Drugs are completely contraindicated in diseases of the liver and kidneys, especially in the acute stage: with exacerbation of myocarditis, any diseases of the digestive system, endocarditis, cardio- and arteriosclerosis.

The popularity of lily of the valley is extremely high. It is grown as an ornamental plant in flowerbeds along with ephimeroides, ephimers and undersized perennials. However, its popularity affects those plants that live in nature in the most destructive way. In May-beginning of June, a real hunt of traders in live goods begins for cute flowers. Lily-of-the-valley glades are cleared so that seed renewal becomes impossible, and this beautiful and so useful species gradually recedes into the most inaccessible places for humans.

Convallaria) is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the class of monocotyledonous, superorder Lilianae, order asparagus, family asparagus, subfamily nolin, genus lily of the valley. The article provides a description of the genus. This beautiful flower is rare and listed in the Red Book.

Folk names: lilies of the valley, lily of the valley, May lily, forest bell, May lily, field lily, convalia, smoothness, raven, rejuvenator, forest tongue, meadow cuttle, dog tongue, mayevka, hare salt, hare ears, doe ear, shirt, young.

Origin of the word "lily of the valley"

This plant received its scientific definition, borrowed from the Latin language, thanks to the works of the famous botanist and zoologist Carl Linnaeus. Since this flower was previously attributed to the genus Liliaceae, the scientist assigned it the Latin name "Lilium convallium", which in translation sounds like "lily growing in the valley."

Despite the fact that the word "lily of the valley" entered the dictionary of the Russian language in the 17th century, there is still no consensus on its etymology. Some scientists believe that it came from the Polish language, in which the flower is called "lanuszka" because of the similarity of its elongated leaves with a pointed tip with the ears of a shy doe. Others attribute the origin of the name, made up of the two words "incense" and "breathe", to the magnificent smell of its fragrant flowers. The last group of researchers is of the opinion that the whole thing is in the completely smooth leaves of the plant, and its definition is a modified word "smooth".

Lily of the valley: description, appearance, characteristics and photos

Lilies of the valley are perennial herbaceous plants that have a horizontal, well-developed and branched root system with numerous, shallow, thin roots. The root system of the lily of the valley is fibrous, with elongated internodes. In the nodes of the rhizome are scaly leaves, from axillary kidneys which develop new roots.

From the vertical rhizome of the lily of the valley grow 3-5 lower scaly leaves small size with closed tubular sheaths. They are usually brown, dark purple or light green in color. For the most part, grassroots leaves are hidden in the ground. Also, 2 (sometimes 3) basal leaves grow from the top of the rhizome, having an oval-lanceolate or oblong-elliptical shape. Lily of the valley leaves are large, smooth, juicy green in color, slightly pointed at the tops, have arcuate venation.

Between the leaves at the top of the rhizome, one large bud is hidden, from which a single bud grows. stem lily of the valley height from 15 to 30 centimeters (although garden lilies of the valley can be up to 50 cm high). The peduncle does not have leaves, although there are some specimens that have filiform leaves under the inflorescences.

Vertical rhizomes of lily of the valley form leaves every year, and lilies of the valley bloom every 2-3 years. The first time lilies of the valley bloom at 7 years. At 10-12 years old, plants lose the ability to form a peduncle. Over the years, horizontal rhizomes rot, and their system breaks up into separate individuals.

Above the middle of the grassy stalk of the lily of the valley, in early May, a fragrant brush begins to form, which includes from 6 to 20 drooping flowers. The long curved pedicels of the lily of the valley have membranous bracts. The stem itself is twisted spirally, so the flowers look in the same direction, even though the pedicels extend from different sides of the triangular flower arrow.

six-toothed perianth lily of the valley, painted in snow-white or pale pink, resembles in appearance a miniature bell with 6 short thick stamens, at the end of which there are oblong yellow anthers. The style is short, with a small tripartite stigma. The tops of the perianth segments are tightly pressed to each other, in a blossoming flower they are slightly bent, when flowering they are bent very strongly.

Flowers lilies of the valley do not have nectaries and attract insects (, ) with a strong aroma and pollen. In the absence of insects, self-pollination can occur.

When do lilies of the valley bloom?

flowering period lily of the valley is quite short and lasts only 15-20 days. The lower flowers open before the upper ones. Flowering time depends on temperature environment. Usually lilies of the valley begin to bloom in spring in early to mid-May and finish flowering in mid-June. By this time, the inflorescences, 4 to 9 millimeters long and 3 to 7 millimeters wide, begin to darken. Soon an ovary appears in each flower, from which an orange-red berry develops.

Fetus lily of the valley with a diameter of 6 to 8 millimeters has an almost round shape and a three-chamber structure. Each chamber contains 1 to 2 spherical seeds. The formation of berries ends by the beginning of July. Ripe fruits can stay on the plant for a very long time. They are included in the diet of chipmunks and birds, although for humans and many animals, all parts of the lily of the valley are very poisonous.

The smell of lilies of the valley

The smell of forest lily of the valley is fresh, slightly tart, has a slightly cool and very gentle note. Sometimes it reminds a little of the smell mixed with the amber of wet wood. The delicate aroma of lily of the valley flowers is often used by perfumers around the world to create exquisite perfumes.

Under natural conditions, lilies of the valley grow in all European countries: in Portugal, Italy, Spain, Poland, Germany, France, Austria. You can meet this plant in the meadows and mountain slopes of China, the countries of Asia Minor, Japan and part of the territory of the United States of America. The distribution area of these flowers includes Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union.

In Russia, lily of the valley grows in its European part, in the mountainous territory of the Crimea, in Transbaikalia, on the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin, in the Amur Region and Primorsky Territory, in the Far East and Siberia.

The most suitable for flower growth are not only deciduous, mixed or coniferous forests, where lilies of the valley grow on the edges or clearings, but also meadows located in river floodplains and on mountain slopes. Due to uncontrolled and sometimes predatory collection, lilies of the valley are currently listed in the Red Book.

Types of lilies of the valley, photos and names

Many researchers believe that the genus Convallaria is monotypic, that is, it consists of one species (May lily of the valley). However, in some classifications, species are distinguished that are somewhat different from the main morphological features, which are caused by the geographical isolation of plants. Below is a description of the varieties of lilies of the valley.

May lily of the valley ( Convall aria majalis )

It grows in Spain and Portugal, Italy and Greece, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus and other European countries. Its distribution area includes most of the territory of Russia, as well as the countries of the Caucasus. In the wild, May lily of the valley is found in deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests, as well as on the edges.

The root system of a perennial plant is branched and consists of a large number small and thin roots, spreading shallowly under the soil surface. Two or three basal leaflets have the shape of an oblong ellipse with a pointed apex. The stem of the May lily of the valley reaches a maximum of 30 centimeters in height. The inflorescence consists of medium-sized flowers hanging on a long pedicel, resembling a spherical bell in shape, the bottom of which is cut by six teeth bent outwards. The number of small white or light pink fragrant flowers included in the inflorescence can reach 20 pieces.

Lily of the valley Keizke(lily of the valley Keiske, Far Eastern lily of the valley) (Convallaria keiskei)

It grows both in light deciduous and coniferous forests with abundant moss litter, in places of abandoned clearings, as well as in meadows located in floodplains. The plant is found in Russia on the territory of Transbaikalia, as well as in the zone of endless taiga expanses of the Far East and Primorye, on the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin, in Northern China and Japan. Some scientists consider Keizke's lily of the valley to be a subspecies of the May lily of the valley.

The plant has a long branched rhizome. The lower leaves of the Keizke lily of the valley are scaly and colored brown or purple. The height of the stem can reach 18 centimeters, and the length of the basal leaves is no more than 14 cm. The flowers can reach one centimeter in diameter, their number in the inflorescence ranges from 3 to 10. The bottom of the petals is ovate-triangular.

mountain lily of the valley ( Convallaria montana)

Distributed in North America, where it occurs only in the mid-mountain belt of several states: Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, as well as in Virginia and West Virginia. Many scientists believe that the mountain lily of the valley is a subspecies of the May.

This is a plant with a well-developed root system and a low stem. Basal leaves of a lanceolate form have a length of up to 35 centimeters and a width of not more than 5 centimeters. The inflorescence of the mountain lily of the valley includes from 5 to 15 broadly bell-shaped flowers, the length of which does not exceed 8 millimeters. Closer to autumn, reddish-orange berries with a diameter of no more than 9 millimeters ripen on the plant, which are three-chambered fruits, which contain several round seeds.

Varieties of lilies of the valley, photos and names

Since the 15th century, gardeners, inspired by the aroma of lilies of the valley, have cultivated this plant and bred a huge number of garden varieties. Among them the most interesting are:

Albostriata

A variety of lily of the valley, which, even after the end of the flowering period, pleases the eye of flower growers thanks to decorative strips of creamy white color covering the surface of the leaf plate.

Aurea

Lily of the valley variety with yellow leaves.

Aureovariegata

Lily of the valley with leaves that are covered with longitudinal yellow stripes.

Taken from: www.vanberkumnursery.com

Flore Plena(Flore Pleino)

Lily of the valley with unusual white inflorescences, which consist of 10-12 fairly large double flowers. Plant height 15-25 cm.

Grandiflora

Lily of the valley with large white flowers and large green leaves. Has a very pleasant aroma.

Green Tapestry

A variety of lily of the valley with variegated yellow-green leaves.

Hofheim

A variety of lily of the valley, the leaves of which have a beige border. The flowers are white.

prolificans

Low-growing variety of lily of the valley with numerous double flowers of white color. It blooms for a long time and spreads a wonderful aroma.

Rosea

A variety of lilies of the valley, known for its flowers, painted in soft pink tones. Up to 14 small flowers grow on one brush.

Victor Ivanovich

Very tall lily of the valley. Its height reaches 50 cm. On the inflorescence there are from 9 to 19 large white flowers. It blooms for about 20 days, and then pleases gardeners with bright red fruits.

Properties of lily of the valley, benefits and uses in medicine

Lily of the valley is a medicinal plant whose beneficial properties have been known since ancient times. All aerial parts of the plant (stems, leaves, flowers) are used as medicinal raw materials, which are collected during the period of abundant flowering.

Preparations made from lily of the valley are used as choleretic agents, as well as for the treatment of cholecystitis and the removal of inflammatory processes that occur in the bile ducts of the liver. Lily of the valley drops are used to treat heart failure and poor circulation. With the help of preparations based on lily of the valley, they treat or alleviate the course of many diseases:

neurosis and insomnia;
high blood pressure (hypertension);
headaches;
some eye diseases;
rheumatic conditions and atherosclerosis;
fever;
swelling;
certain types of allergies.

Contraindications for taking medicines based on lily of the valley

Despite the useful properties, the use of products made from parts of the lily of the valley should be done very carefully. Lily of the valley preparations have contraindications:

acute or chronic liver / kidney disease;
cardiosclerosis, endocarditis, myocarditis;
problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
pronounced organic changes in the cardiovascular system;
myocardial infarction;
angina;
ventricular tachycardia;
allergy;
pregnancy;
children's age (use with caution).

In any case, before taking medicines from lily of the valley, you should consult your doctor.

Lily of the valley harm, poisoning and symptoms

Lily of the valley flowers have a very strong fragrance that can lead to headaches. That is why it is desirable to regularly ventilate the room in which there are flowers.

It should also be remembered that lily of the valley is a poisonous plant. Lily of the valley berries (fruits) are especially poisonous. Therefore, medications and tinctures should be taken only as directed by a doctor, while strictly observing the doses. Symptoms of lily of the valley poisoning:

dizziness and headache;
severe nausea, which is soon replaced by continuous vomiting;
drowsiness and general weakness;
decrease in heart rate (bradycardia), up to cardiac arrest;
convulsions;
flickering before the eyes;
loss of consciousness.

If such symptoms are observed, immediate resuscitation measures should be taken. Otherwise, death may occur.

To save the life of a person who has been poisoned by drugs made from lily of the valley, you must immediately call an emergency ambulance. While the team of doctors is on the way, you should:

using a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) or a simple boiled water wash the victim's stomach, causing a gag reflex;
help the victim take any sorbent drug, which is suitable for activated charcoal, enterosgel, polysorb or sorbex;
put a cleansing enema, achieving a reverse exit of clean water.

Growing and caring for lilies of the valley

Lighting

Lily of the valley is a herbaceous plant that is not demanding on natural conditions, is not afraid of frost, but does not tolerate drafts. It is comfortable for him to grow and bloom in a small shade of trees, shrubs, but if the shading is strong, then the lily of the valley may stop blooming.

How to grow lilies of the valley from seeds and vegetatively

Wild lilies of the valley can reproduce by seeds from ripe berries, and root system during the year it can grow to almost 25 cm. Despite this, lily of the valley is a rather rare plant that is listed in the Red Book.

Garden, artificially bred forms of lilies of the valley come to the rescue of flower growers. Their only drawback is their lower frost resistance. Breeding species are also bred by sowing seeds in the ground, but more often they resort to the vegetative method - using rhizomes. In the first case, the plant can bloom only after 6 years, in the second - in the third year.

Growing lilies of the valley from seeds is quite easy. Lily of the valley seeds are sown at the very beginning of autumn, then by spring they will already germinate. You can sow them in the middle or late spring.

For vegetative propagation of lily of the valley, small pieces of rhizome with buds and roots are used as planting material. The diameter of the sprouts, the presence of a flower bud or leaf buds in them depend on the age of the root system. If the root in cross section exceeds 6 mm and has a rounded top, then flowering can be expected in the first year. If its diameter is smaller and the tip is sharp, only leaves will grow in the first year. Separation of the root system can be done both in autumn and in spring time. When working with planting material, you need to wear gloves, as the plant is poisonous.

The soil

Lilies of the valley prefer well-drained, neutral or low level acidity loamy soil rich in organic compounds. The place where these flowers will grow must be prepared in advance. The depth of soil cultivation should be at least 30 cm. In the spring, the selected area should be dug up, adding the following substances and fertilizers to the soil per 1 m²:

200-300 g of lime;
about 10 kg of humus;
40 g of potassium sulfate, as well as 100 g of superphosphate.

During the summer, you need to ensure that this area is not overgrown with weeds.

Planting lily of the valley in autumn

Experienced gardeners consider the beginning and middle of autumn to be the best period for planting planting material. Before planting the cuttings, the soil is loosened, rows 15 cm deep are made at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other. Lilies of the valley are planted at intervals of about 10 cm, trying not to bend the roots. The sprouts are sprinkled with soil only 1-2 cm. Immediately after planting, the site should be well watered. When the first frost occurs, it is advisable to cover the plot with young plants with mulch. This will help preserve the lilies of the valley if the winter is not snowy.

Planting lilies of the valley in spring

Planting material can be planted in the spring, but such plants will be painful and will not bloom this season. Land for lilies of the valley should be prepared in the fall. In order for young shoots to take root more easily in open ground and not suffer from sudden changes in spring temperatures, rapid drying of the soil, as well as from weeds, mulching of lily of the valley beds should be carried out. They are covered with a thin layer of humus or peat crumbs, and at night they are also covered with a film to protect them from frost.

Taken from: www.gardenersworld.com

Lily of the valley care

lilies of the valley special care do not require, but still you need to make sure that in hot weather the earth under the flowers does not dry out, otherwise they will bloom weakly. After watering, the soil should be loosened, and weeds should be removed as needed.

Lilies of the valley grow very quickly, crowding out others flower crops. In order to "keep" the plant within the flower bed, it is necessary to dig a barrier along its perimeter, deepening it by almost half a meter. In one place, these flowers can grow from 5 to 10 years. In prefabricated bouquets, they also behave quite aggressively, which leads to fast fading other colors.

fertilizers

The first application of well-rotted organic matter can be done as early as 30 days after planting the lily of the valley. Mineral fertilizers cannot be used at this time. To improve the decorative effect, lilies of the valley are fed in the second and third years of life. organic fertilizers with a low nitrogen content. This procedure is carried out in the middle of spring, introducing from 50 to 70 grams of top dressing per 1 m². Another top dressing can be done in June, when the laying of flower buds begins. The end result will be lilies of the valley with larger flowers.

Where spruce paws knew the innocence of a birch,
Where the spring and brisk stream grumbles under the ravine,
Lily of the valley white tears scattered on the edge,
Like pearl beads of my dear girl.

Description and features of lilies of the valley

As soon as the spring sun warms the earth, on the first thawed patches they begin to show their green noses, snow-white and fragrant. lily of the valley flowers. Their aroma is so bright and individual that it is impossible to confuse it with any other. Lily of the valley flower is rightly called the goddess of spring.

Lilies of the valley, in essence, are not ornamental plant. They are simple and not intricate, and this is their main charm. They grow in coniferous and deciduous forests, on humus-rich soil. For lily of the valley, slightly shady places are preferred, but they also feel great in sunny glades and forest edges.

Geographically, lilies of the valley can be found in regions with moderate climatic conditions, mainly in the regions of the Northern Hemisphere of the planet.

Snow-white lilies of the valley live in the Caucasus and Asia Minor, they get along well with the traditions of China. Lilies of the valley testify to the arrival of spring in the mountainous Crimea and on the coasts of the Amur, they are fragrant on Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands.

Pictured are lily of the valley flowers

Where the natural virginity is not touched by man, you can see whole glades strewn with white fragrant lily of the valley bells. For those who have not seen the natural beauty of these marvelous, fragrant, May flowers, it is enough to look photo of lily of the valley flowers.

Breeders have bred several varieties of garden lily of the valley, it is larger in size and less fragrant than forest lily of the valley. There are varieties of terry lily of the valley and even lily of the valley with a pink tinge.

To find out more which lily of the valley flower, you can refer to the flower encyclopedia. Lily of the valley is a perennial that belongs to the asparagus plant family.

It has long and creeping rhizomes and 2-3 large, dense leaves at the base. The peduncle of the lily of the valley reaches 30 cm in height. During the flowering period, it is decorated with a single-row brush of white (rarely pale pink) drooping flowers, shaped like toothed caps of small forest gnomes.

The main flowering time is early spring to early summer. According to the established tradition - lilies of the valley first flowers in may. After flowering, dense red balls (berries) form in place of the flowers.

They serve as a repository for the plant, the seeds of the future are stored and ripen. Lily of the valley flower in the forest is a confirmation of purity, in environmentally polluted conditions, lilies of the valley do not bloom.

Planting and propagation of lilies of the valley

Many gardeners want to have a perennial lily of the valley in their garden. To grow lily of the valley personal plot you need to know some of the nuances of its planting and care.

For example, we cannot dispute the fact that a forest lily of the valley dug out in the forest and planted near the house will never please with its flowering. AT best case he will remind of himself with foliage, and at worst he will die altogether.

It's all about the soil. The forest lily of the valley is demanding on the natural substrate on which the roots of its ancestors rested; not a single gardener is able to create such conditions for him.

There is a way out - this is a garden lily of the valley. But here, too, difficulties lie in wait. The soil for garden lily of the valley needs a special, slightly acidic, leafy soil with impurities of manure, peat and humus (compost).

A site for lilies of the valley is prepared in advance, preferably 1 year before the intended planting. It is cleared of weeds, loosened, and sometimes legumes are planted on it, the roots of which will serve as super-vitamins for the future tenant named lily of the valley.

There are two ways to plant a lily of the valley. The first is seed, and the second is by dividing maternal rhizomes. The second method is considered more convenient and functional. The rhizome must necessarily have a maternal sprout with a diameter of 0.5-0.6 cm.

Pictured are berries with lily of the valley seeds

It is this option that can give lily of the valley flowering in the second year of life. When planting a lily of the valley, it is necessary to pay attention to the roots and make sure that they lie flat and do not have bends, and the sprouts are not sprinkled with earth by more than 1.5-2 cm.

Planting is carried out at a distance of 10 cm between the flowers horizontally, and vertically the rows recede from each other by 25 cm.

The sowing method of lily of the valley is carried out before winter, the first leaves will appear in the spring, flowering occurs in the third year of plant growth. At one place, lilies of the valley in the garden live up to 5 years.

If the soil is too scarce and dry, they will become smaller and the number on the peduncle will be less and less every year. Lily of the valley does not like excessive moisture, being an unpretentious inhabitant of the forest, he will be able to wait for the next watering, but his roots rot from excess water.

The best place for planting - partial shade, under trees that have late foliage. With strong shading, the lily of the valley blooms less actively.

In the photo, the rhizomes of lilies of the valley

Lily of the valley care

In care, lilies of the valley are completely undemanding creatures. It is enough to feed them with organic fertilizers at the end of summer, at the end of the flowering period.

Water in dry times, preferably not with tap water, but with rain water. Timely weed from weeds. In the spring, you will need to cover the lily of the valley with compost, peat or last year's manure.

Frost-resistant, do not require additional shelter. Desirable transplantation and rejuvenation 1 time in 5 years. At good care lily of the valley is able to actively multiply, its roots and seeds can spread throughout the area and flood it like a weed. To prevent this from happening, you can enclose a flower bed with lily of the valley with sheets of iron or slate (deepening them into the ground).

Lily of the valley diseases and pests

Garden lilies of the valley are susceptible to some common diseases. vegetable crops, For example, gray rot. The treatment is the use of fungicides.

In addition, growing on a personal plot, lily of the valley is susceptible to nematodes, as well as other pests, including ratchet and common sawflies.

If a nematode is found on a lily of the valley, no matter how sad it is, diseased plants should be destroyed. The nematode is a contagious disease and it can spread throughout the area. The best prevention is the timely treatment of pests and the destruction of weeds.

Attention! Lilies of the valley have a strong aroma and may be contraindicated for people prone to allergies, and their smell can also cause slight dizziness due to the fact that they are considered poisonous.

Children should not be allowed to play with these, as children's curiosity can lead to unforeseen consequences. Particularly poisonous and dangerous are mature, seed berries of lilies of the valley, which attract attention with their bright color and shape.

May bouquets of lilies of the valley have long been considered an expression of tenderness and purity of relationships, they are always pleasant for girls and women of all ages.

Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer lilies of the valley in the bosom of nature, the reason for this is the ruthless destruction of the beauty of the native land by man. The creation and restoration of which you need to start with yourself and educate in your children.

Attention! Forest lily of the valley flowers are listed in red Russia. Of course, no one will punish you for a small bouquet of lilies of the valley, carefully collected in a forest glade, as a gift to your beloved.

However, the collection of forest lilies of the valley for commercial purposes is punishable by law and is equated with poaching. Remember that when buying a bouquet of these sweet and fragrant ones at the station or in the underpass, you are an accomplice in crime.

Buy lily of the valley flowers for planting on a personal plot, it is possible in specialized stores or try to grow it yourself from seeds.

Pictured is a bouquet of lilies of the valley

Lily of the valley flower meaning developed historically. What part the globe lily of the valley did not grow, it is always a symbol of tenderness and purity. It doesn’t matter what language a man speaks and what color of his skin, but handing a bouquet of lilies of the valley to his beloved, he wants to say about love and fidelity.

In May, spring fully comes into its own, gardens and forests are covered with greenery, and the air is filled with a fresh, exciting fragrance. It blooms lily of the valley, beloved by both gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts.

grassy perennial, first described by Carl Linnaeus, today can be found in the forest, it is used to decorate garden plots and early spring forcing, and is grown as a pot crop. Thanks to breeders, more than a dozen original varieties of lily of the valley appeared at the disposal of flower growers, in the photo and description strikingly different from the wild ancestor.

Lily of the valley classification

The first description of the lily of the valley as a genus belongs to Linnaeus. In the XVIII century, the plant was classified as a lily and received the name Lilium convalium, which means "Lily of the Valley" in Latin. Then scientists repeatedly changed the belonging of culture to one or another section of the generally accepted classification.

On the this moment lilies of the valley, like other plants well known to gardeners, such as kupena, birdman and polyanthes, are part of the extensive Asparagaceae family. The modern name of the flower has also changed.

The lily of the valley today became known as Convallaria or convallaria. Among the people, the lily of the valley is also known under other names, for example, forest bell, May or forest lily, smooth, young, meadow shanks, dog tongue or hare ears.

Although botanists officially recognize only the European variety of May lily of the valley, populations growing in the north and east of Asia, as well as on the territory of the North American continent, are increasingly recognized as independent.

At the same time, differences in appearance in plants, however, the significant remoteness of habitats and the lack of communication between them are minimal - good reason to talk about the presence of three, and sometimes even four varieties of lily of the valley:

May lily of the valley (C. majalis), which lives almost everywhere on the European continent;
lily of the valley Keizke (C. keiskei), growing in the Far East, in China and Mongolia, and also found in the west of Hindustan.
mountain lily of the valley (C. montana), which occupies wooded areas in the eastern United States;
Transcaucasian lily of the valley (C. transcaucasica), growing in the Caucasus, Transcaucasia, including the territory of Turkey.

Where does lily of the valley grow

Lily of the valley is unpretentious, we have excellent adaptability, so we managed to get along in a variety of climatic zones and natural conditions. At the same time, the plant is everywhere:

exhibits high shade tolerance;
prefers nutrient-rich soils;
does not tolerate drought well.

In nature, lily of the valley can be found in deciduous and mixed, less often in pine forests. The rapid development of the aerial part and flowering occurs at a time when the soil is still saturated with melt water, the foliage on trees and shrubs has not yet fully opened, and the grass has not risen. Under such conditions, wintering rhizomes provide the perennial with everything necessary for growth. And in a few years, in place of just a few rosettes of smooth oblong-elliptical leaves, a dense curtain appears.

Given the ability to capture new territories, in the gardens where the lily of the valley grows, the area for it must be strictly limited. Otherwise, the plant may crowd out other useful crops in a few seasons.

Despite their hardiness and adaptability, all wild-growing varieties of lily of the valley are under the threat of extermination. The reason is not only the beauty of flowers and strong aroma, but also the beneficial properties of the plant. Therefore, in Russia, and in a number of European countries and in the US state of Kentucky, the species is taken under official protection.

What does a lily of the valley look like: plant description

Blooming lily of the valley is well known to many. However, a perennial herbaceous culture is not only graceful bell flowers and leathery smooth leaves.

Most of the plant, namely the branched powerful root system, is hidden shallow underground. Thanks to horizontal light brown rhizomes and numerous small lily-of-the-valley roots extending from them:

winters well and even when the soil freezes, it quickly recovers;
one of the first to wake up with the onset of spring warmth,
successfully propagated vegetatively.

The aerial part of the plant consists of shortened shoots and a rosette of leaves. Moreover, the lowest, undeveloped leaf plates are often located under a layer of soil. As it grows, true leaves appear. First, they are rolled into a tight tube, which gradually rises above the ground and opens. Broadly lanceolate smooth leaf plates are painted in rich green color, have longitudinal venation and pointed tips.

When two or three leaves are fully formed, the development of a bud begins, turning into a slender flowering shoot, bearing from 6 to 20 rounded buds at once. The height of the plant depends on the species and variety. Wild plants, as a rule, are more modest than garden specimens, and European lilies of the valley, not exceeding 15–20 cm, are lower than their Asian and Transcaucasian counterparts, which grow up to 30–50 cm in height.

Since flowering occurs on buds laid in the previous season, its splendor depends on the quality of care and the growth conditions created for the lily of the valley.

In wild and many cultivated varieties, the perianths have a simple, miniature bell shape. Inside the rounded calyx, 4 to 9 mm high, there are six stamens and a short pistil.

The first lilies of the valley open on the lower part of the stem, then the turn of the middle and upper buds comes.

Depending on climatic and weather conditions, this can happen from the second decade of May to June. On average, flowering lasts from two to three weeks.

How lily of the valley reproduces

If the weather is not too hot, white fragrant bells cover the entire brush and do not fade for a long time, making it possible to form a lot of ovaries. When lilies of the valley bloom, the air is filled with an incredibly strong fragrance. It is the smell that attracts many bees and other pollinators to the flowers.

Successful work of insects leads to the appearance of rounded berries, as they ripen, increase in size and change color from green to brown, and then, by mid-summer, to bright orange or red. Inside the fruit is divided into three chambers containing 1-2 large seeds.

The berries are in no hurry to fall off and often become food for birds and rodents. Thanks to this, lilies of the valley successfully appear where this plant has not been found before. However, this breeding method is hardly suitable for those who want to see lily of the valley flowers not in the photo, but in their own garden.

If the lily of the valley is grown from seed, the plant will bloom only after 6-7 years. Therefore, flower growers prefer to use vegetative propagation of the culture using root cuttings.

After being transferred to a new place, a strong delenka with the beginnings of leaf rosettes quickly takes root and, with proper care, will delight with fragrant bell flowers in 1–2 years.

Types and varieties of lilies of the valley with a photo of flowers

Graceful fragrant flowers have long attracted the attention of man. Long before Linnaeus, the lily of the valley was known to the peoples who inhabited modern countries Europe, Russia, Asia. This is evidenced by the mention of the plant in the legends of the ancient Romans and Germans, Slavic tribes, as well as the use of culture for medicinal purposes.

Since the 16th-17th centuries, when the fashion for bouquets and flower decoration of costumes and hairstyles arose in France and other countries, lilies of the valley turned out to be very useful. Not only did they show themselves perfectly in cutting, but they also served as a natural flavoring agent, a kind of perfume that masks unpleasant odors.

The demand for flowers turned out to be so great that plants from the forest migrated to gardens and flower beds. Thanks to careful selection, large-flowered varieties of Convallaria grandiflora already appeared then. These plants are distinguished by slender flower stalks rising above green foliage and bearing up to 20 large white buds.

Another achievement of breeders is the appearance of lilies of the valley, the flowers of which are not painted in the traditional white, but in a pale pink or lilac shade. The photo gives a visual representation of what the lily of the valley Convallaria Rosea looks like.

Not wanting to stop there, the enthusiasts of this amazing spring crop have created a group of double-corolla Convallaria Prolificans varieties. The brushes of these plants look especially magnificent, while completely retaining both durability and wonderful aroma.

Lilies of the valley with original foliage are no less in demand among lovers of garden flowers. These are variegated forms, the leaf plates of which, depending on the variety, are decorated with strokes, stripes or strokes of contrasting tones.

Garden lily of the valley Hardwick Hall is distinguished by leaves with a wide, heterogeneous border of yellow.

Lily of the valley Albostriata plants are doubly decorative during flowering, and after it they remain incredibly attractive thanks to bright leaf plates covered with longitudinal stripes of yellow.

More golden reflections on the Aurea leaves. On some leafy leafy greens, the color remains only in the form of thin stripes, the rest is painted in milky yellow tones. Light, as in the photo of lily of the valley flowers, shoots bearing flowers can also be.

Use of lily of the valley

In the garden, lilies of the valley are actively used for landscaping areas under the crowns of trees and tall shrubs. The May bloom allows the area to come alive while the large plants have not yet come into full force.

A perennial ground cover crop does not require special care, it easily winters in the European part of Russia, it goes well with such popular species as aquilegia, irises, and blueberries blooming a little earlier. At the same time, by the middle of summer, the decorative effect of lilies of the valley decreases. To maintain the freshness of the foliage, the plant is watered, and experts recommend cutting off the remaining flower stalks with the formed berries so as not to weaken the next year's flowering.

Lilies of the valley can be grown in room conditions, as well as to achieve the early appearance of flowers by planting healthy rhizomes stored in the fall in a pot.

If lilies of the valley are collected for a bouquet, it is better to give preference to brushes that are not fully opened. Cutting is carried out in the morning or evening, when there is no direct sunlight. Because of strong odor Lily of the valley flowers should not be left in living quarters, especially in children's and bedrooms.