Sweetly scented with pretty, bell-shaped flowers, lily of the valley or Convallaria majalis, is a much-loved flower. It is also a royal favourite; grown in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, it featured in the late Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, Kate Middleton’s wedding bouquet and was also the flower of choice for Princess Grace of Monaco.
In France, on 1st May, posies of ‘Muguets des bois’ are handed out as a symbol of spring, while in Helston, Cornwall, at the traditional Floral Dance held on 6th May, lily of the valley is worn to represent the coming of May and summer.
It is also appropriately enough, May’s birth flower, giving peace and wisdom to all born in this month. While in the Victorian language of flowers, lily of the valley signified a return to happiness.
