Convallaria majalis Doreen - Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis 'Doreen' is an excellent selection of florists' lily of the valley, initially selected in the Netherlands for the cut flower trade. It is more compact and produces flowering stems with slightly larger white bells than those of the usual lily of the valley. Its fragrant spring flowers, prove to be more long-lasting in a vase and the garden. It is a robust and very hardy perennial ground cover for shady areas, easy to grow in almost all regions.

Convallaria majalis Doreen (sometimes marketed under the name Dorien) belongs to the convallariaceae or liliaceae family according to classifications. Its wild ancestor, lily of the valley or May lily, is widespread in all clear forests of cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America). Lily of the valley is very hardy and easy to grow everywhere in sun or shade, but prefers light soil and moisture to flower and spread abundantly.

Convallaria majalis 'Doreen' is a 10-12 cm (4-5in) tall, deciduous perennial plant that has a rhizome in the shape of fleshy claws and quickly develops into a dense carpet. This variety develops broad sheathing, dark green leaves at the base, lanceolate to elongated oval and ending in a point. Each leaf measures 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5in) long with numerous parallel veins. The plant flowers from April to May in a cluster about 12 cm (5in) tall, of 7 to 9 small white bell-shaped flowers, measuring 1.2 cm (1in) wide and 6 mm (0in) high, arranged on the same side of the stem. These flowers have a characteristic fragrance, with floral and musky notes. After pollination by insects, small red-orange berries containing seeds are formed. All parts of lily of the valley are poisonous.

Plant Convallaria majalis 'Doreen' at the edge of the undergrowth, in a border, near a pathway, or even in a large pot to enjoy its scent. You can plant it with small periwinkles, wood hyacinths, perennial bleeding hearts, or ophiopogons.