Lily of the Valley

Aug 20, 2026

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is found scattered throughout most of Britain and into Central Scotland, with populations naturalized in many locations. Its preferred woodland types include Lowland Broadleaved Woodland, Upland Broadleaved Woodland, and Scrub. The plant thrives in dry woods, scrub, and hedgebanks, typically on base-rich soil. It is most frequently observed in ashwoods in North and West Britain, but also appears in ancient woods on sandy boulder clay over chalk in East Anglia and in grikes within limestone pavement. Lily of the Valley prefers semi-shade, rarely growing in full light. Potential habitat management issues related to its decline include the obscuring of native distribution by naturalized plants and a possible earlier decline due to woodland habitat loss. The ash die-back disease (Chalara fraxinea) may also negatively impact this species. Recommended habitat management solutions involve maintaining semi-shade with controlled canopy thinning (aiming for a 25%-35% canopy gap), coppicing only under specific conditions and on long rotations, ensuring free-draining soils to prevent waterlogging, maintaining undisturbed soils, and managing public access to create opportunities for viewing this iconic plant through linked paths if its population is abundant. This information is crucial for conservation efforts and understanding the ecological needs of Lily of the Valley.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Lily of the Valley

Areas and status

Woodland type

Preferred habitat niches

Potential habitat management issues associated with decline

Potential habitat management solutions

FAQs

What is the common name and scientific name of the plant discussed?

The plant discussed is commonly known as Lily of the Valley, with the scientific name Convallaria majalis.

Where is Lily of the Valley typically found in Britain?

Lily of the Valley is found scattered throughout most of Britain, extending north to Central Scotland, and is naturalized in many areas. It prefers dry woods, scrub, and hedgebanks, usually on base-rich soil.

What are the potential threats to Lily of the Valley populations?

Potential threats include the naturalized plants obscuring the native distribution, past loss of woodland habitat, and the negative impact of ash die-back disease (Chalara fraxinea).

Aug 20, 2026

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