Lily of the Valley Bulbs Lily of the Valley or “ Fairy Bells” are a quintessential english plant. Lily of the Valley or “ Fairy Bells” is an intrinsically English plant, which spreads to cover woodland floors. These perfumed hardy perennials have delicately arched, nodding heads of small, bell-shaped flowers May-June, followed by red berries shortly after. Flowers have many layers of meaning for people throughout history, which tie in with its time of flowering & religious associations. May’s official flower is the lily of the valley & this association comes, in part, from the traditional lore that nightingales won’t sing until the lily of the valley blooms each May. Their unique shape led them to be called “fairy bells” in Celtic cultures, & it was believed that only fairies could hear them ringing. It is occasionally known as glovewort, due to its use in treating sore or chapped hands. It also makes a good natural dye, changing cloth to either yellow or green, depending on which season the leaves are gathered. It is considered a symbol of purity & humility, sweetness, & renewed happiness! Richly scented, bell-shaped white flowers. Ht. 23cm. Naturalising bulbs is growing enormously in popularity, & the range of varieties that people are trying is broadening. You may think of ‘naturalising’ as growing bulbs in the lawn, but it’s equally applicable to growing them in a way where you leave them to their own devises to spread & seed themselves under trees or shrubs or in a woodland setting.