a lily-of-the-valley starting to bloom Photo: Miika Silfverberg
« »  Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis)  Why we grow it:
Low to the ground with spires of tiny, white bell-shaped
flowers, lily-of-the-valley packs a potent, sweet-smelling scent
despite its small size. It's also an excellent groundcover in
shady settings.  Deadly parts: The entire plant, particularly
the leaves.  Toxic toll: Sure, they make for an attractive
flower arrangement, but even the water you place cut lily-of-
the-valley flowers in contains deadly traces of convallatoxin,
which intensifies the heart's contractions. Just a bite causes
headaches, hot flashes, hallucinations, and irritability, not to
mention red blotches on cold, clammy skin. The heart will also
slow down, potentially leading to coma and death. Ask TOH users
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