Convallaria majalis Lily of the valley R DD N
This is such a great plant to find in the wild. The elegant curved stems, broad leaves and little white, fragrant bells are so well known that a description is hardly necessary. The site at Gaitbarrows is exactly what the reference books would describe: it grows on grassy verges shaded by young ash saplings on dryish basic soil.
C. majalis is common in England and Wales but less so in Scotland preferring lowland areas. It is rare in Ireland.
LHS: Gaitbarrows nature reserve 10th May 2005 RHS Spey bay, Scotland 14th May 2007
Added on October 17th 2005, updated 5th December 2008, updated 20th March 2010, updated 4th May 2010, updated 23rd January 2021