lily of the valley vs false lily of the valley? info appreciated

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

im having trouble finding info on the difference between lily of the valley vs. false lily of the valley, im not sure how many types there are but im looking for the most strongly fragrant. it was on a list of hardy perennials for zone 6. any info is appreciated!

**thanks to all who responded-very helpful! i will get a true lily of the valley! :)

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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

They’re different families, genera and species. They aren’t two types of the same plant. The flowers don’t look the same, although the leaves are similar. What name was used on the list? Did it give the botanical name?

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Comments (9)

teuth
3 years ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maianthemum_dilatatum aka false lily of the valley is not noticeably fragrant to me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_of_the_valley Convallaria majalis is the "real" one, described as fragrant
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years ago
If you want strong fragrance, then there is no mistake in Convallaria majalis or 'true' LOV. It is noted specifically for that feature and they even make perfume from it.

Maianthemum is described as having a "light, delicate scent"......so delicate that I find it undetectable!

Both can be rather aggressively spreading groundcovers under the right conditions.
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j k
Original Author
3 years ago
@floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK it just said "false lily of the valley"
Jay 6a Chicago
3 years ago
There is also the rare, native American Lilly of the Valley, Convallaria majuscula, which is also fragrant, and more showy than Convallaria majalis.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
if you want to research plants... you have to learn and use the latin names ... else you will get all confused with regional common names that dont even describe the same plant ...

the 2 you are comparing are not even in the same family ... ergo.. they are radically different ... in this case.. as to scent

ken
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years ago
"based on comments so far i should get the true lily of the valley but i see many varieties, can anyone suggest the most strongly scented? "

Forget about all the cultivars. With the exception now and again of the variegated form, they are almost impossible to find outside of a few mail order sources and none are ranked or selected for a stronger fragrance than others. However the species - just the straight Convallaria majalis - is widely available almost anywhere. It is a strong, robust plant with an intense, carrying fragrance. IME, it is the number of flower spikes produced that create the fragrance intensity and the species is a prolific bloomer.
j k thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If it said false lov it’s Maianthemum, which, as has been said, is not notable for fragrance. Can you link to the site where you’re finding the information? It sounds a bit flakey.
j k thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
j k
Original Author
3 years ago
@floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK i went back through my history to try to find it but i was on so many different pages i cant find it :( although thanks to all the comments i will go with the true lily of the valley :) much appreciated