{"product_id":"lily-of-the-valley","title":"Lily of the Valley","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Fragrant Spring Carpet for Shady Minnesota Ground\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLily of the Valley (\u003cem\u003eConvallaria majalis\u003c\/em\u003e) is the beloved old-fashioned groundcover that fills shade with sweetly perfumed, nodding white bells each spring. Its broad green leaves knit into a lush carpet that thrives where lawn and most perennials fail — the dry, shaded ground under trees and along the north side of the house. Tough, deer-resistant, and intensely fragrant, it's a nostalgic favorite for shade gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and St. Paul.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLily of the Valley Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConvallaria majalis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 in. tall, spreading vigorously as a groundcover\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to full shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMid to late spring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite (intensely fragrant)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable — tolerates dry shade and clay; prefers humus-rich soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExtremely hardy — reliable well below -30°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed — all parts are toxic, so deer avoid it\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDry-shade groundcover:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the few plants that carpets the difficult dry shade beneath trees. Plant the tray of 10 about 6–8 inches apart for quick coverage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFragrant woodland edges:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wonderful along shaded paths where its scent can be enjoyed. It spreads enthusiastically — give it room or edge it to contain. Pair with hostas and ferns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant the pips in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into shaded soil. Water through establishment; it spreads fastest in moist, rich shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Lily of the Valley\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoosen the soil and mix in compost. Set each plug 6–8 inches apart with the crown just at the surface, water in well, and mulch with shredded leaves. It will knit into a carpet over a season or two. Wear gloves and wash hands afterward — the plant is toxic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Lily of the Valley\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep evenly moist — water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tolerates dry shade once established; water during extended dry spells to keep foliage fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is Lily of the Valley poisonous?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — all parts, including the red berries, are toxic if eaten. Plant it away from areas where children or pets might nibble, and wash hands after handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does it spread aggressively?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — it spreads steadily by underground pips and can colonize an area. That's ideal for filling difficult shade, but edge it to keep it out of choice beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it grow in dry shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — it's one of the toughest groundcovers for dry shade under trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — its toxicity makes it reliably deer- and rabbit-proof.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bold-leaved shade companion to contrast the fine foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum):\u003c\/strong\u003e Another fragrant shade groundcover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina):\u003c\/strong\u003e A graceful native fern for shaded beds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"4\" (tray of 10)","offer_id":54315441881393,"sku":null,"price":78.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/lily-of-the-valley.jpg?v=1779747460","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/lily-of-the-valley","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}