At Fleurs de Villes our motto is “Flowers make us happy,” so what better flower to feature in May than the lily of the valley, (symbolizing “a return to happiness”) which blooms wild in the European woodlands in early spring. With its dainty, white, bell-shaped flowers, it is also referred to as “the bells of May” or “our lady’s tears,” referring to the Virgin Mary at the cross. Lily of the valley were grown by monks to decorate their altars, calling them “Ladders to Heaven,” for the way the flowers climb up the stem. The flower’s pure white blooms and bowed head was seen as a symbol of chastity; however, in floral folklore, the alluring green jasmine-like fragrance of the lily of the valley was also said to coax the nightingale from his nest in the springtime and lead him to his mate. 

In France, lily of the valley (or muguet in French) has been given as a gift for centuries. Legend has it that the custom began on May 1, 1561 when King Charles IX (age 10 at the time) received a plant of the tiny flower as a token of good luck from one of his knights. The precocious young king liked the idea so much that he decided to start a yearly tradition. From that day forward on the first of May, he presented a bouquet of lilies of the valley to each of the ladies of his court. Soon, the tradition spread beyond the palace gates, and thus began the Fête du Muguet, otherwise known as May Day in France. The tradition came in and out of vogue over the years, experiencing its biggest renaissance in 1900 when several of the French couture houses held a May 1 gala where they distributed lily of the valley sprigs to their customers. Around that time in France, singles dances, called Le Bals de Muguets, were a rare occasion for unmarried young men and women to mingle unchaperoned.

In Victorian floriography, lily of the valley was associated with sweetness and a sincere heart, making it especially fitting for weddings, where it represents the promise of joy in marriage. Its elegant simplicity has made it a favourite among royal brides and style icons alike. Catherine, Princess of Wales carried a bouquet featuring lily of the valley when she married Prince William on April 29, 2011, following a tradition that also included Grace Kelly and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. 

Couturier Christian Dior was particularly smitten by the flower, often wearing a sprig on his lapel and sewing them into the linings of his clothes for fashion shows. In modern-day France, lily of the valley is seen as a symbol of good luck for the upcoming year, and sprigs of lily of the valley are handed out to family members. A proper bouquet is just three sprigs, each with 13 bell-like blooms (13 is a lucky number in France). And while it’s normally forbidden to sell flowers on public streets in France, the ban is lifted on May 1, a national holiday, in honour of this long-standing tradition. 

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HOW TO GROW LILY OF THE VALLEY

If you wish to grow your own, the soil must be sandy and slightly acidic, and the surrounding area should provide partial shade. Lily of the valley is very prolific, so you may want to plant it in an enclosed bed. When given ample shade, plants will form low, thick masses of bright green colour, making them the perfect complement to other shade-loving perennials like hostas. Also look for a “rosea” version of the flower at your nursery with a pretty pinky-lavender shade. Planted in the fall, with any luck, they will bloom on May 1.