Speirantha convallarioides
Starry lily of the valley
Also known as Speirantha gardenii
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.3m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This shade loving perennial makes attractive groundcover in woodland conditions. There are rich-green strappy leaves that make upright clumps in spring when they look very like the foliage of lily of the valley to which the plant is related. As the season progresses the leaves extend and arch downwards so they look pleasing hanging over the edge of raised beds. It is May flowering when it sends up short spikes bearing short rigid branching stems at the end of each is a little white ball which open to starry, fragrant flowers. This needs a cool, at least partly shaded, site in humus rich acidic soil that is well drained but always has moisture in it. It grows to around 30cm (12in) both height and spread. It is not invasive and is content to make a clump.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, fragrant
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade, tolerates dense shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous)
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Apply acidic mulch
Where soil is only just acidic, apply mulch with a high acidic content such as leaf mould, or mulch for ericaceous plants. Alternatively the plant can benefit from a feed of iron supplement (iron chelate) such as sequestrol.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.