Maianthemum canadense

£10.50

Small, dense, clusters of tiny, white, star-shaped flowers in May/June. A low plant, only 20cm tall, false lily-of-the-valley blankets woodlands with its two shiny, oval leaves. In bloom, tiny, white flowers are held in upright clusters on separate, delicate stems. The fruit is a small, pale red berry. The Latin name, Maianthemum, means “May blossom” – an appropriate name because the plant flowers in May.Later in the summer, the flowers become small berries with one to two seeds. The berries are initially green with spots, then turn a mottled dull red in late summer and red in the autumn.

11 in stock

Description

This is a family of woodland perennials from around most of the northern hemisphere, which includes some small plants as well as larger ones formerly called Smilacina. They have loose sprays of many small white flowers, in many cases followed by red berries.

Maianthemum canadense is known as Canadian May-lily or wild lily-of-the-valley in its native habitats in Canada, the northern United States and in the Appalachian Mountains. There it grows in forests of both conifers and deciduous trees, and in the garden it can give useful ground cover in such situations. It has up to three leaves, with clusters of about 20 starry, white flowers, sometimes followed by translucent red berries.Ideal for underplanting trees & shrubs or growing in woodland or a shaded border.

  • Position:Light, dappled shade.
  • Soil:  Moist, fertile soil.
  • Hardiness: 
  • Flowering Period:
  • Rate of Growth: 
  • Habit: Rhizomatous ground cover
  • Height: up to 20cm
  • Spread: up to 40cm
  • Pot size: 9cm