Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis 'Golden Slippers')
Convallaria majalis 'Golden Slippers' offers bright gold foliage and fragrant white bells. This lower-maintenance Lily of the valley thrives in shade.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’ is a striking cultivar of Lily of the valley prized for its vibrant, golden emerging foliage, which softens to chartreuse as the season progresses. This perennial forms an attractive, low-growing ground cover perfect for brightening dark, shaded corners of the garden. It shares the characteristic sweet fragrance of its species, offering nodding, bell-shaped white flowers in mid-spring.
As a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial, this Lily of the valley spreads to form dense colonies, making it excellent for naturalizing under mature trees and shrubs. While ‘Golden Slippers’ is noted for spreading less aggressively than the standard variety, gardeners should still site it thoughtfully in areas where containment might be necessary. Its low maintenance requirements and tolerance for various soil types make Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’ a resilient and beloved addition to the woodland garden.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asparagaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’ in the spring or fall, focusing on locations that provide moist, fertile, organically rich, and well-drained soil. It performs beautifully in sun-dappled environments but tolerates deep shade well. This plant is remarkably adaptable and can establish successfully even in dry or clay soil conditions, although consistent moisture generally yields the best results.
Maintenance for this Lily of the valley is generally low once established. Water during dry spells to maintain medium soil moisture, though established clumps are drought-tolerant due to their rhizomatous nature. No regular fertilization is usually needed if the soil is reasonably rich. Be mindful that this is a cool-weather perennial; avoid planting it where hot, humid summer climates will cause the foliage to decline quickly.
If the root system becomes too dense over the years, flowering may diminish; in this scenario, dividing the clumps in spring or fall is the appropriate management technique. While ‘Golden Slippers’ is less rampant than the standard form, control its spread by planting it where its rhizomes can be contained or by periodically removing unwanted new growth.
Landscape Uses
The primary strength of Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’ lies in its function as a resilient ground cover, thriving where other plants struggle, particularly under the canopy of established trees and large shrubs. Its ability to naturalize readily makes it ideal for softening woodland paths or bridging transitional areas in a shade garden, using its golden foliage to provide year-round interest even when not in bloom.
Use this plant to create bright, uniform carpets of color against dark green or deep purple foliage plants. Because it establishes quickly via rhizomes, it is excellent for erosion control on mild slopes where moisture retention is important. While it works well as a mass planting, individual clumps can create luminous pockets of gold along shady borders, offering a strong color contrast to shade-loving annuals or ferns. The fragrant May blooms also make it a sought-after addition near seating areas or walkways where its scent can be fully appreciated.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Convallaria majalis, commonly known as lily-of-the-valley, is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial that that typically forms an indefinitely-spreading ground cover. Foliage and flowers make this an attractive and beloved shade garden wildflower, with leaves that are lanceolate-ovate to elliptic. In spring, an arching flowering stem bears nodding, bell-shaped, sweetly fragrant, white flowers. The specific ‘Golden Slippers’ selection displays bright gold foliage in spring that matures to chartreuse, making it a standout shade perennial.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Erosion
- Clay Soil
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
Gardeners should monitor for minor issues such as aphids and spider mites, though they rarely cause significant damage to the overall health of Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’. Fungal issues like stem rot or leaf spot may occasionally develop, especially in overly wet or stagnant conditions. The main cultural concern is foliage decline during periods of intense summer heat and humidity, a condition common to many cool-weather plants. Furthermore, while this cultivar is less aggressive, be aware that Lily of the valley can be invasive in some northern regions; always check local recommendations regarding its spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’ suitable for?
This Lily of the valley thrives across USDA Zones 3 through 7.
How large does Lily of the valley grow?
Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’ typically reaches a height between 0.5 and 1 foot tall, with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
When does Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’ bloom?
This perennial bursts into bloom from April to May, showcasing its fragrant white flowers.
What sun exposure does Lily of the valley need?
This plant prefers part shade to full shade conditions to maintain its best performance and foliage color.
Conclusion
The combination of low maintenance, tolerance for deep shade, and the unique golden hue of its young foliage makes Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’ an indispensable anchor for shaded garden spaces. Enjoying the sweet fragrance of this specific Lily of the valley cultivar is easy once you ensure planting occurs within its ideal Hardiness Zones 3-7. Plan your installation for spring or fall to give this rhizomatous perennial the best start establishing its beautiful groundcover.
Companion Planting
When planning designs around Convallaria majalis ‘Golden Slippers’, select companions that share its partial to full shade requirement and medium moisture needs. Hostas are excellent partners, offering complementary textures, though ensure varieties with darker or variegated leaves are chosen to maximize the contrast against the chartreuse foliage. Ferns, particularly Japanese Painted Ferns or Autumn Ferns, thrive in similar cool, moist conditions and echo the woodland aesthetic that Lily of the valley naturally evokes. Consider using Brunnera (Siberian Bugloss) for its early blue flowers, which harmonize beautifully with the white spring blooms of the ‘Golden Slippers’.
Propagation Tips
The most effective method for increasing your stock of Convallaria majalis is through root division, which should be performed in early spring before new foliage fully expands or in the fall after growth slows. Carefully dig up sections of the established clump, ensuring that each division has several healthy rhizomes attached. It is essential to plant these divisions promptly at the same depth they were originally growing, keeping the rhizomes just beneath the soil surface. Division helps revitalize older clumps, often encouraging better flowering returns, though the plant will also spread naturally over time.
