Heavenly Delight

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Eliza Waters

Heavenly Delight

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is one of the most heavenly of scents in the garden. For about two weeks every spring, I inundate my senses with this delicate gift of Nature. Life is good!

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About Eliza Waters

Gardener, photographer, naturalist, writer
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30 Responses to Heavenly Delight

  1. Line Herikstad's avatar Line says:
    May 31, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    Oh, so beautiful!! In Norwegian this flower is called Liljekonvall, I have always loved that flower name 🙂 The flower is equally beautiful! 🙂 I wish I could smell it now! 🙂 Oh, wait, I have it here as an essential oil! 🙂 Yes, it is beautiful, but I think the real thing would have been better!!! 🙂

    • Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
      May 31, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      I love the Norwegian name – melodious – like the bells that they are. Yes, the real thing is always better. 🙂 Although I think Caswell-Massey does a nice job with their soaps and lotions. They substitute well enough in the off-season.

  3. Bettie's avatar Bettie says:
    May 31, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    Such a beautiful photo! Thanks for the sprig you gave me when we met last. Love it!

  4. hitandrun1964's avatar hitandrun1964 says:
    May 31, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    My mother always had a tiny vase full of these on the kitchen sink. They are growing all over my yard…I mean ALLLLLL over my yard. 🙂 I love them. I think they are poisonous to animals and kids.

    • Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
      June 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm

      Yes, the little red berries might prove a temptation, I suppose. Luckily, I’ve raised two boys and numerous pets without an incident. 🙂

  5. Celebrating Sunshine's avatar celebratingsunshine24 says:
    May 31, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    Beautiful! I miss these flowers too… 🙂

  6. dorannrule's avatar dorannrule says:
    May 31, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    So serene! I wish I had some.

    • Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
      June 1, 2014 at 4:09 pm

      Some people don’t like them in the garden because they tend to take over. But in the margins or as a ground cover under trees, where they can go crazy, they are truly delightful. That scent gives them high status in my garden.

  7. Treah's avatar Treah says:
    May 31, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    My favorite scent….along with apple blossoms. Spring flowers are the best!

  8. Micheal K's avatar mk says:
    June 1, 2014 at 2:27 am

    I don’t know the fragrance, but the flower looks just as sweet as it can be.

    • Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
      June 1, 2014 at 4:05 pm

      Oh, dear, sorry to hear that. I suppose an good essential oil would give you an idea – pure olfactory bliss!

      • Micheal K's avatar mk says:
        June 3, 2014 at 11:50 pm

        I made a trip to Whole Foods Market today in hopes I could find this fragrance, and the Universe provided! You’re right, this is a heavenly scent. My other favorite is orange blossom; it’s my good fortune that my near neighbor has an orange tree right next to my driveway. Thanks Eliza for this introduction.

      • Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
        June 4, 2014 at 1:53 am

        So happy to inspire! I also love orange blossom, but as you know, no citrus grows around here except in greenhouses. Orange blossom honey is wonderful as well.

  9. twoscamps's avatar twoscamps says:
    June 1, 2014 at 3:19 am

    What a beautiful flower (and photo too!). I do not know this fragrance either! 😦

  10. Lianne Schneider's avatar Lianne Schneider says:
    June 1, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    I do love Lily of the Valley – we had so many at one time that we pulled them out. They can be invasive and the fragrance overwhelming. But I still miss that fragrance laying on the moist morning air. Gorgeous!

    • Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
      June 2, 2014 at 12:55 am

      Thanks, I know what you mean about their spreading. I have seen some packed clumps around old houses. After fifteen years, mine have yet to take over and we are just beginning to have enough to feel ‘abundant.’ I would love to have a go at being overwhelmed by the fragrance! 😉
      Thanks for the reblog!

  11. Lianne Schneider's avatar Lianne Schneider says:
    June 1, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    Reblogged this on Lianne's Picks – best of the blogs and commented:
    And old-fashioned fragrance and flower that this old-fashioned gal just loves.

  12. bridget's avatar bridget says:
    June 1, 2014 at 9:51 pm

    I’m planting lots of scented flowers in the garden. Have’nt got Lily of the Valley though. Must get some.

  13. Maria I's avatar Maria F. says:
    June 2, 2014 at 1:11 am

    I had never seen these! They are beautiful!

    • Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
      June 2, 2014 at 8:22 pm

      Thanks, Maria. They are a real treat! Native to Europe, they have become abundant in Eastern US, Northern Asia and England. Does best in zones 3-7.

  14. Robbie's avatar Robbie says:
    June 2, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    It is my birth flower-month of May- I believe…and the perfumre from this flower is so special! Mine is not blooming yet.but It is up + no flowers yet! Lovely photo of such a delicate beautify…it is amazing that it is so tiny and has such a “wonderful” fragrance. I sometimes just carry some around in my hand to smell at different times as I garden:-)

    • Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
      June 2, 2014 at 8:15 pm

      Thanks, Robbie. I do that, too, carry a sprig or two to sniff as I walk around the garden. Visiting friends love it when I hand them one, too. In Aromatherapy it is said “to lift depression and create a feeling of well-being” – so we are on the right track!

      • Robbie's avatar Robbie says:
        June 2, 2014 at 9:52 pm

        🙂 victorian woman use to carry nosegays of fragrant flowers or herbs …or they called them tussie-mussie. I guess we are still doing it in a way:-)lol

  15. Sharon's avatar Sharon K. says:
    June 17, 2014 at 2:59 am

    Beautiful. These remind me of my mom who always had a patch in a dark corner of the yard. Later she wore Muget de bois cologne.

    One rode in on a hosta I got from a friend many years ago. It’s grown into a nice little patch in my shade garden. They’re beautiful, delicate, and so fragrant, with the added bonus of looking good most of the summer. What’s not to love. 🙂

    • Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
      June 17, 2014 at 4:12 pm

      Some do complain that they take over, but so far, it hasn’t been a problem for me. I’ve got lots of room! Their fragrance makes it worth having them!

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