Convallaria majalis 'Hofheim'

Lily-of-the-Valley Asparagaceae

A Lily-of-the-Valley with a touch of Teutonic glamour. ‘Hofheim’ is a handsome variegated selection, its broad green leaves irregularly edged and streaked in creamy yellow, bringing a welcome flash of light to shady ground long before its flowers appear. In spring, the familiar arching stems carry wonderfully fragrant white bells, their perfume arguably doing more work than the foliage in announcing that winter has finally been evicted.

A robust, rhizomatous perennial, it gradually forms generous colonies and makes an excellent woodland or shaded groundcover where soil is humus-rich and reasonably moist. Unlike some of the more delicate variegated forms, ‘Hofheim’ is notably tough and reliably hardy. H7 is therefore entirely appropriate — this is one Lily-of-the-Valley that is unlikely to be intimidated by a bit of German weather.

Flowering: April–May
Hardiness: H7, below –20°C
Height: 20–25cm
Spread: 30–50cm, eventually wider
Origin: German selection