Knowledgebase

is lily of the valley ok? #838398

Asked June 30, 2023, 10:55 AM EDT

Immediately adjacent to our house we have a steep, north-facing hillside under a beech tree that doesn't have any plants because its too shaded and the beech leaves choke them out. We have lily of the valley elsewhere around our yard that we are considering transplanting to this hillside to help with erosion/ground cover. Is lily-of-the-valley considered invasive in Vermont? Considering there isn't any vegetation growing here anyways that it would be pushing out would this be a good solution?

Windsor County Vermont

Expert Response

Good Morning, and thanks for reaching out!

Lily of the Valley is a moderately aggressive spreading plant - using rhizomes to propagate underground. It is listed as native in some sources, and non-native in others. Given the proper conditions it will spread and push out other species, which based on your message is not a concern here. Its root systems do however, lend itself to fighting erosion.

For future reference, I've included sources helpful in determining what is invasive and what isn't - (including what characteristics put a plant on this list). The first is specific to Vermont and includes a list of officially recognized invasives, as well as a watch list. The second has a wider scope in N. America and lets you explore where a certain plant is identified as invasive.

Lily of the Valley looks to be listed as invasive in Wisconsin and Alaska, but is not listed in Vermont law or invasive lists. It is a vigorous grower, so if used, care should be taken in determining whether it has the possibility to invade other areas and choke out other plants.

Gallery of Terrestrial Plants | Vermont Invasives (vtinvasives.org)

lily of the valley, Convallaria majalis Liliales: Liliaceae (invasive.org)

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 02, 2023, 10:12 PM EDT

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