Description
The lily of the valley was chosen as the national flower of Finland in 1967, at the same time as the county plants of various regions were chosen. The lily of the valley grows commonly in southern and central Finland, becoming rarer as you go north.
On lush forest edges, groves and broadleaf forests, vegetation and flowering are more abundant, while on barren lands, flowering is rare or absent altogether. Lily of the valley is a 15-25 cm tall perennial herb that spreads by rhizome and seeds. Lily of the valley usually has two deep green whole-edged leaves, with a single leafless flower stem rising from the middle of leaves. There are 6-12 small white fragrant bell flowers on the stem. The flowers develop into orange-red berries, which, like the entire plant, are very toxic to humans and other mammals.
Lily of the valley is a popular garden plant because its flowers are enchantingly fragrant and after flowering the foliage remains beautifully green until late summer. Lily of the valley rhizomes can be found along roadsides and can be easily transplanted into the garden. Lily of the valley is used in bouquets and arrangements, and it has also been popular as a Christmas flower in Finland because it could be made to bloom in midwinter as early as the 19th century. Lily of the valley flowers are used in the perfume industry and the poisonous parts of the plant have been used as a heart medicine.
