May’s birth flower is the Lily of the Valley. This flower is associated with purity, sweetness, and humility.
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The Birth Flower for May is Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley is a beautiful, fragrant flower that is traditionally associated with May. These flowers are believed to represent purity, chastity and sweetness, making them a popular choice for bridal bouquets and wedding centerpieces. Lily of the Valley is also the national flower of Finland.
The Meaning of the Lily of the Valley
The Lily of the Valley is a charming springtime bloomer with a long flowering season. It’s one of the birth flowers for the month of May, along with the hawthorn. The meaning of the Lily of the Valley can be summed up with one word: sweetness. This meaning is derived from both the its delightful fragrance and its pure white color.
The History of the Lily of the Valley
The lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis / ˈ k ɒ n v ə l ˌ eɪ r i. ə m eɪ ˈ dʒ eɪ l ᵻ s /), Convallaria majalis, is a highly poisonous woodland flowering plant indigenous to temperate regions of Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe. It is possibly the only member of its genus in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is not confined to mountainous areas; in the Southern Hemisphere it is present in New Zealand and Tasmania.
How to Care for Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley is a woodland plant that blooms in early spring. It has small, bell-shaped flowers that emit a delicate perfume. This fragrant bloom is the May birth flower.
The Lily of the Valley is a traditional symbol of purity and humility. According to Christian legend, the white, bell-shaped flowers of this plant sprang up from the ground where drops of Christ’s sweat fell during his agonizing walk to Golgotha. This earned the plant the nickname “Our Lady’s Tears.” In the language of flowers, Lily of the Valley represents sweetness, tears of happiness and return to happiness.
If you know someone whose birthday is in May, you can give them a potted Lily of the Valley as a gift that will bloom year after year. These plants are relatively easy to care for, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Lily of the Valley prefers cool temperatures and partial shade. If you live in an area with hot summers, it’s best to plant this flower in a spot that gets afternoon shade. The soil should be rich and moist but well-drained. Lily of the Valley doesn’t tolerate drought well, so make sure to water regularly during dry spells.
This plant spreads rapidly through rhizomes (underground stems), so you may need to divide it every few years to keep it from taking over your garden. When dividing Lily of the Valley, be careful not to damage the roots too much as this will stress the plant and reduce its flowering potential. The best time to divide these plants is in late summer or early fall after they have finished blooming for the season.
