Lily of the Valley

Hands down, the lily of the valley is my favourite flower. However, it is impossible to find in Singapore whether as cut flowers or as plants.

Its small blooms are tiny and white. As such, it is not gaudy nor showy. Yet, it is a flower of immense presence because it gives off a heady fragrance that rises around you if you ever have the good fortune to walk into a large patch of these plants. The plants grow low on the ground and often, in the wild, you smell it before you see it. It almost feels like some sort of fairy essence left behind by fairies who rushed to hide when humans come into sight.

The lily of the valley is one of those plants that have such great allure that folklore has woven many inveigling stories about its origins.

St. Leonard and The Dragon

In the early 6th century, St. Leonard came to England from the French court of King Clovis, to live in retirement a life of prayer as forest hermit. A dragon--called Temptation in some versions--disturbed St. Leonard. They fought a long battle in the forest, during which much blood was spilled. Where the dragon's blood fell, there grew nettles. Where St. Leonard's blood fell, there sprung up lilies of the valley in great abundance.

The Virgin Mary's Tears

When Mary, mother of Christ, saw him crucified on the cross, her tears fell on the ground. Where these tears fell, there sprung up lilies of the valley.

Eve's Tears

When Adam and Eve were banished from the garden of Eden, Eve's tears fell on the ground and each teardrop became a lily of the valley plant.

Month of May

The latin name of the lily of the valley is convallaria majalis. "Majalis" means "of the month of May." So, if you're born in May, the lily of valley is your birth flower. Gee, I do wish I had been born in May!

In France, florists sell truckloads of the lily of the valley because it has become the Labour Day flower too. Receptions, halls and auditoriums are adorned with bouquets of lily of the valley for Labour day because it is this flower that represents workers' rights. People offer it to each other for good luck and prosperity throughout the year.

This flower does not last long after cutting. So, most Singapore florists don't use them. I just wish I could grow them. I think they would do well on my bedroom's windowsill.

I Have Faith In Mr. Grumpy

I managed to get FOUR seeds, which I have entrusted to the man I trust the most in the world to grow them - Mr. Grumpy (whom I blogged about HERE). Mr. Grumpy can make ice plants, grapes and blackberry fruit in Singapore. Mr. Grumpy can make anything grow in Singapore. And of course, Mr. Grumpy is also a world class baker.

Sigh! Petunia is such a 贪吃鬼, that she keeps collecting friends who are world class cooks!! It is just such a blessing that this one also happens to be a kick ass gardener.