Species false lily of the valley
White Flower with bud, stigma, white style and stamen, lime stems and green leaves.

false lily of the valley

Maianthemum bifolium

False lily of the valley (Maianthemum bifolium) is a woodland perennial native to the Northern Hemisphere. It grows in the understory of cool, moist, deciduous forests. False lily of the valley can reach up to 24 inches in height and features heart-shaped leaves and slender flowering stems that bloom between April and July. Its flowers are white and bell-shaped and feature six tiny petals and long, curved stamens. Its berries are small and reddish-purple when ripe, lasting through the summer. False lily of the valley's blooms are incredibly fragrant, providing a pleasant scent to the surrounding area.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 7

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

watering

False lily of the valley plants prefer moist, well-drained soil. Water them frequently, so that the soil stays evenly moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season from April through September, water the plants regularly as often as once a week during dry periods.During the winter months, reduce the amount of water and let the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry out between watering.

sunlight

False lily of the valley will typically thrive with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. For best results, it should be placed in a location with access to morning sun and afternoon shade, ensuring that the soil does not dry out in the direct sun. Additionally, plants should be protected from strong winds as they may cause the fragile foliage to become damaged.

pruning

False Lily of the Valley should be pruned in the early spring, before new growth begins. Pruning should be done selectively, trimming off any dead or dying foliage and lightly shaping the plant. Since this is a slow-growing plant, you only need to prune lightly - no more than 20-25% of the growth at any 1 time. Pruning too much may result in a decrease in flowering.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

False lily of the valley typically starts flowering in May.

Hardiness Map