Convallaria majalis Géant de Fortin - Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis 'Géant de Fortin' (synonyms Fortin's Giant, French Giant, Nantes Lily of the Valley, Fortin's Lily of the Valley) is a taller than normal lily of the valley with many very fragrant, white flowers, shorter and wider than the wild lily of the valley, in spring. It is a robust and hardy perennial ground cover for shade or semi-shade, easily grown in moist, light soil. 

Convallaria majalis 'Géant de Fortin' belongs to the Convallariaceae or Liliaceae family according to classifications. Its wild ancestor, Valley Lily, or May Lily, is widespread in all clear forests in cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America). Lily of the valley is very hardy and easy to grow everywhere, in the sun or shade, but prefers light soil and moisture to flower and spread well.

Lily of the Valley is a deciduous, perennial plant 25-30 cm (10-12in) tall with a rhizome in the shape of fleshy claws and develops into a mat which can quickly and densely colonise the soil. This variety has large sheathing, dark green leaves at its base, lanceolate to elongate oval, ending in a point. Each leaf is 5 to 22 cm (6 to 9in) long, with numerous parallel veins. The plant blooms from April to May with a cluster of a dozen small, white bell-shaped flowers about 25-30 cm (10-12in) tall,  arranged on the same side of the stem. These flowers have a characteristic floral and musky scent. After pollination by insects, small red-orange berries containing seeds are formed. All parts of lily of the valley are toxic.

Plant Convalleria majalis 'Géant de Fortin' on the edge of a woodland, along a border or near a pathway to enjoy its fragrance, with small periwinkles, wood hyacinths, perennial bleeding hearts or ophiopogons.