May is Lily of the Valley Month

LILY OF THE VALLEY FLOWER

These bell like flowers, dangling daintily from delicate stems and set against the backdrop of lush green leaves not only look pretty but also have a sweet yet fresh fragrance. Legend says that when Mary’s tears fell on ground at the foot of the cross, lilies of the valley blossomed there, that is why they are sometimes referred to as “tears of the Virgin Mary”.

Lily of the valley is said to bring luck in love which is the reason they are traditionally used in a wedding bouquet. Even Kate Middleton carried a Lily of the Valley bouquet on her wedding day! For ages this pretty flower has been considered a symbol of spring, revival, love and luck. Did you know that King Charles IX of France was given a lily of the valley on the 1^st of May way back in 1561.  He was told it would bring him luck and he in turn presented the ladies of the court with bunches of lilies of the valley to multiply the luck. From then became a tradition in France for men to offer a lily of the valley bouquet to their special partners to symbolize their love.

To this day in France May Day also known as the “Fête du Muguet” (meaning Lily of the Valley Day) you will find most people exchanging these delicate bouquets. The tradition was revived at the turn of the 20^th century thanks to Parisian fashion designers.  They started presenting all of their female clients and staff with the symbolic flowers starting May 1st 1900 and the trend caught on.

If you want to grow lily of the valley, select a moist and cool spot in your garden.  Planting should take place late fall. After planting, they need to be watered generously soaking the soil. They are generally grown from small bulbs known as pips.  They are surprisingly hardy and will thrive and grow well.

Their pleasant scent lends itself into a variety of fragrance products.  You can try our natural shower gels, body lotions or spray lotions and indulge in lily of the valley all year long.