You’ve probably seen them. Those tiny, nodding white bells hiding under broad green leaves in a shaded corner of the garden. They look like something out of a fairy tale. Honestly, if you’re asking what is the flower of may, the answer isn't just a single plant—it’s a deep dive into botanical history, folklore, and some surprisingly intense chemistry.
The primary titleholder is the Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis). It’s the official birth flower for those born in May. But if you talk to a botanist or someone from the UK, they might point you toward the Hawthorn, often simply called "the May-tree." Then there’s the Common Peony, which hits its peak right as the calendar flips to June. It’s a bit of a crowded field, but the Lily of the Valley is the undisputed heavyweight champion of May symbolism.
The Royal Obsession with Lily of the Valley
It’s not just a backyard plant. It’s high-fashion royalty.
Think back to the most famous weddings of the last century. Grace Kelly? She carried a bouquet of Lily of the Valley. Kate Middleton? Same thing. Even Queen Elizabeth II had them in her coronation bouquet. There’s a reason for this. These flowers symbolize "return to happiness." In the language of flowers—that weirdly specific Victorian code called floriography—sending these meant you were telling someone they made your life complete.
It’s a bit of a flex, really.
The plant is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe. It loves the shade. If you try to grow it in full, scorching sun, it’ll basically give up. It wants that damp, cool, woodland vibe.
The French Tradition of La Fête du Muguet
If you happen to be in France on May 1st, you’ll see people selling small sprigs of these flowers on every street corner. This is La Fête du Muguet. This tradition goes all the way back to 1561. King Charles IX was presented with a sprig of Lily of the Valley as a luck charm. He liked the idea so much that he started giving them to the ladies of his court every year on the first of May.
🔗 Read more: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessing Over Maybelline SuperStay Skin Tint
Today, it’s a public holiday. Labor Day and "Lily of the Valley Day" happen simultaneously. People give bunches to friends and family to wish them luck. It’s one of the few days in France where anyone can sell flowers on the street without a permit.
Hawthorn: The "Other" Flower of May
While the Lily of the Valley owns the "birth flower" title, the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) literally shares the name of the month. In many English-speaking cultures, "the May" refers to the Hawthorn in bloom.
It’s a different vibe entirely.
Hawthorn is a rugged, thorny shrub. It’s hardy. It’s the backbone of the English countryside's hedgerows. When it blooms in May, the entire landscape looks like it’s been hit by a light snowstorm of white and pink petals. But here’s the kicker: back in the day, people were terrified of bringing it inside.
There was a superstition that bringing May blossoms into the house would lead to a death in the family. Why? Because the smell of Hawthorn flowers is... unique. To some, it smells sweet. To others, it smells like decay. Biologists have actually found that the flower contains trimethylamine, which is one of the first chemicals produced when animal tissue starts to rot.
So, yeah. Maybe keep that one in the garden.
💡 You might also like: Coach Bag Animal Print: Why These Wild Patterns Actually Work as Neutrals
Why May Flowers Matter for Your Health (and Hazards)
We have to talk about the dark side of the Lily of the Valley. It’s gorgeous. It smells like heaven. It’s also incredibly toxic.
Every single part of the plant—the leaves, the flowers, those tempting red berries that appear later—contains cardiac glycosides. Specifically, chemicals like convallatoxin. If an animal or a small child eats it, it can cause a slowed heart rate, blurred vision, and vomiting. In Breaking Bad, this plant played a pretty pivotal (and dark) role.
- Convallatoxin: One of the most potent natural substances affecting the heart.
- Safety Tip: Always wear gloves if you have sensitive skin and are dividing the plants in the fall.
- Pet Owners: Keep your cats and dogs away. It’s no joke.
On the flip side, the scent is a cornerstone of the perfume industry. Christian Dior was obsessed with it. He even had a "lucky" sprig sewn into the hem of his dresses during runway shows. His 1956 fragrance, Diorissimo, was an attempt to capture the exact smell of a May morning. It’s hard to do because you can’t actually distill the scent from the flower itself. Perfumers have to "reconstruct" the smell using other chemicals.
The Botany of the May Bloom
Why does everything happen in May? It’s the sweet spot.
In the Northern Hemisphere, May is when the soil temperature finally stabilizes. We’ve moved past the "false spring" of April. The Lily of the Valley is a rhizomatous perennial. This means it spreads through underground stems called rhizomes. Once it takes hold in a garden, it’s almost impossible to get rid of. It forms a thick carpet.
If you’re looking to plant the flower of may in your own yard, you need to understand "pips." Pips are the dormant root offsets. You plant them in the late fall or very early spring. They need a period of cold to "reset" before they can bloom.
📖 Related: Bed and Breakfast Wedding Venues: Why Smaller Might Actually Be Better
Variations in the Species
Most people think Lily of the Valley only comes in white. Not true. There’s a variety called Convallaria majalis var. rosea that produces soft, dusty pink bells. There’s also Albostriata, which has stunning gold-striped leaves. These are harder to find and grow a bit slower than the standard green-and-white version, but they are showstoppers for collectors.
Common Misconceptions About May Flowers
People often confuse the "flower of may" with the "Mayflower."
The Mayflower (the ship) was named after the Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens). This is a completely different plant. It’s a low-growing wildflower native to North America. It’s also known as the Mayflower in New England. If you’re in Massachusetts, this is actually the state flower. It blooms early, often poking through the last bits of snow.
Then you have the Crabapple. In many climates, May is the month of the Crabapple blossom. These are spectacular but fleeting. They last about a week, maybe ten days if the weather stays cool. If it gets hot too fast, the petals drop almost immediately.
Practical Steps for Growing Your Own Lily of the Valley
If you want to bring the flower of may into your life, don't just buy a pot at the grocery store and hope for the best. Follow these specific steps to ensure they actually survive and return year after year.
- Find the Shade: Look for a spot that gets morning sun but is shielded from the harsh afternoon heat. Under a deciduous tree is perfect.
- Soil Prep: They love organic matter. Mix in some leaf mold or compost. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil.
- The Soaking Trick: Before planting dormant pips, soak them in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes. This wakes them up and gets the roots ready to move.
- Spacing: Plant them about 4 inches apart. Don't worry if it looks sparse at first. By year three, they will have filled in the gaps.
- Moisture Control: They don't like to dry out. During their first summer, make sure they get at least an inch of water a week.
Once the flowers fade, don't cut the leaves back! The plant needs those leaves to photosynthesize and store energy in the rhizome for next year's bloom. Wait until they turn yellow in the autumn before clearing them away.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to embrace the symbolism and beauty of the flower of may, start by assessing your outdoor space. Look for that neglected, shady corner where grass won't grow—that's your prime Lily of the Valley real estate. If you don't have a garden, look for "Muguet" scented candles or perfumes that use synthetic accords to mimic the fragrance safely. Finally, if you're gifting these flowers, remember the French tradition: give them on May 1st to bring luck to your favorite people. It's a small gesture with five centuries of history behind it.
Check your local hardiness zone first; Lily of the Valley thrives best in Zones 2 through 7. If you live in a tropical climate, you might have better luck with the "May Rose" or tropical Hawthorn varieties that can handle the humidity. Whatever you choose, May's botanical heritage offers a unique blend of royal history, folklore, and a touch of garden mystery.