It is said to bring luck, the Lily of the Valley is one of the most common Spring flowers that has appeared in bridal bouquets for centuries. These bell shaped blooms have appeared in many bouquets including those of royalty such as Queen Victoria, Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton. For such a delicate flower it is also quite poisonous to humans and animals alike. Lily of the Valley was used to combat gas poisoning particularly during WWI, and used as a treatment of heart disorders, epilepsy, and skin burns. It’s delicate scent is used in many perfumes and cosmetics.
Common Name
Its scientific name majalis or maialis, means "of or belonging to May," so if you were born in that month, Lily of the Valley is your birth flower. It became Finland's national flower in 1967 and was the floral emblem of Yugoslavia. France also celebrates La Fête du Muguet (Lily of the Valley Day) on May 1. Despite the word Lily in its name it actually is part of the asparagus family or scientifically known as asparagaceae. Lily of the Valley are typically white, but they can have many variations including green leaves striped with white or blossoms that have a pink hue.
Origins of the Flower
The origins of the Lily of the Valley have some biblical roots. Legend has it that the Lily of the Valley sprang from the tears of Eve as she was exiled from the Garden of Eden. In Victorian times the flower meant “a return to happiness”. Another legend tells of a Lily of the Valley who fell in love with a nightingale’s singing, and only bloomed when the bird returned to the woods in May. The Lily of the Valley is mentioned 15 times in the Bible.
Looking for local blooms
The Lily of the Valley thrives in cool climates and can bloom for up to 3 weeks, but it can’t tolerate the heat. It is a native wildflower to three continents including Asia, Europe and North America, but it’s believed it originated from Japan. They naturalize quickly and are considered very aggressive in gardens. They thrive in partial sun to shade so they can be found as a woodland flower. They are native to our area so you will find them in Garden in the Woods in Framingham or The New England Botanical Gardens at Tower Hill in Boylston. Due to the heat intolerance of the blossoms many florists don’t carry these flowers as a regular item and they are expensive and would need to be specially ordered. If you like these blossoms your best bet is to plant some in your yard and enjoy them during the month of May.
Tags: Flower of the month, Local blooms
