Five Facts About Lily of the Valley

Every month has a specific flower assigned to it – it’s ‘birth month flower’.

 There’s one flower that truly represents the month of May - lily of the valley.  Where I live in Vancouver, at this time of year, lily of the valley is just starting to pop up in people’s gardens. It’s small and sweet and when I’m out for a walk and spot it, I feel as though I’ve come across a little treasure.

Here are five fun facts about this dainty, delicate, fragrant bloom:

1 – Lily of the valley isn’t actually part of the lily family, but part of the asparagus family;

2 – Lily of the valley is the birth month flower for May, the flower for second wedding anniversaries, and the national flower for Finland;

3 – In the language of flowers lily of the valley’s meaning is ‘return to happiness’. They’re also said to bring ‘luck in love’, making them a very popular flower choice for wedding bouquets;

4 – On May 1st, the French give small bunches of lily of the valley to family and friends to symbolize good luck;

5 – Lily of the valley has a delicate, spring-like scent that is fresh and clear. If it’s distinct fragrance is something you just can’t do without, you’re in luck - many perfumes use this scent. Two to try: ‘Lily of the Valley and Ivy, ‘ by Jo Malone, and ‘Lily of the Valley’, by Penhaligon.