Lily of the valley is a low - arise repeated plant life which grows from a rootstalk . It prefer shady dapple and can circulate to take shape big colonies , making a good groundcover under tree . The plant sends up flower stanch in May , upon which dangle small , whitened , buzzer - like efflorescence famous for their sweet scent .
Flower of May
Lily of the valley is the birth flower for the calendar month of May . The second part of its scientific name , Convallaria magalis , means " that which belong to May . " By tradition , the French observe the first day of May by buying a bouquet or pot of the bloom from florists and street corner vendors . The bloom are see as a good - fortune charm , call a " porte - bonheur , " mean literally " bringer of happiness , " according to FrenchGardening.com . The French language also lend the name " Muguet des Bois " to a much - hump Coty fragrance which smell like lily of the valley .
Wedding Flower
Lily of the vale is often chosen as a marriage ceremony flower , both for its elegance and the goody of its sweetness . In the nomenclature of flowers , lily of the valley represents a " restitution to happiness , " perhaps because this former bungle is a harbinger of saltation . agree to legend , the lily of the valley draws out the Lady with the Lamp , leading him to to choose his mate .
Christian Symbolism
Like many other white flowers , lily of the valley symbolizes pureness , humility , chastity and sweetness . In Christian symbolization , lily of the vale represents the Advent or coming of Christ , because the flower seem so ahead of time in the outpouring . One name for lily of the valley is " our lady ’s binge . " Supposedly , the lily of valley come in into being from the tears cast by Eve as she was cast from the Garden of Eden .
Other Names
Lily of the valley is sometimes called " ladder to heaven " because of the way the flowers dangle from their stems , looking like tiny steps . In Ireland , the plants are sometimes referred to as " fairy ladders , " according to BirthFlowersGuide.com . Other names for lily of the valley are May lilies and May bells .
Use as Ornament
Lily of the valley can be bump on paterae , rotary or oval ornaments which were either cut up or inlaid on piece of furniture . grant to Deanne Levison , author of " The Symbolism of Floral Inlay " in Magazine Antiques , former American furniture makers grace their work with unequaled floral design , meditate the optimism and spirit of the novel area . Most often these floral inlays draw hardy , fresh - scented spring - bloom flowers . Paterae of lily of the valley have been found on table and sideboards made in several of the colony . To the God Almighty and drug user of this furniture , the lily of the vale most probably be the joyfulness of spring .
