I have heard many people gasp at the mention of Lily of the Valley, declaring that it is their all time favourite flower. Although I admire its delicate beauty and abundance I have never quite understood this enthusiasm. I imagined this attachment was merely sentimental, the nodding ivory bells evoking memories of a mother’s cherished bloom, a bridal bouquet, a childhood posy. Then I recalled my gross failing in the appreciation of this world, a missing dimension in my life, a chasm, a void. I am talking about my, at best, meagre sense of smell. When perfumes fleetingly return it is often shocking, over-whelming and physical in its intensity. It is rather like being hit in the face by a football, not an altogether pleasant experience. Furthermore, whilst in the olfactory wilderness I forget what smells are, my ability to identify one from another. So on these lucid days I walk around with a scrunched up face saying “what is that strange smell?” only to be told with puzzled tone “petrol” or “coffee” or “chips”. I can only guess that the (allegedly) sweetly scented Convallaria majalis, that admirably carpets our woodlands and shady garden corners in spring, has one hell of a scent!
Off The Edge Gardening 
They are such delicate little flowers, and they do smell like perfume. 🙂
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And spring flowers are always so welcome!
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A bridal bouquet wouldn’t be the same without them.
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As a fellow non smeller even I can vouch for the scent. And for abundant read invasive. I will never (need to) plant another.
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Perhaps you could have a little stall at the end of the lane …. 🙂
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Your photo is quite perfect and captures the details of the curling petals, the effects of light and shade. I’ve always liked large flowers more than small ones, but that seems to be changing as I take more time to notice and admire the little ones.
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Like you, Mrs D, I have been looking closer in recent years. It certainly is worth it.
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I’m with you Gill. I’ve never quite understood the particular appeal of Lily of the Valley. It used to grow like billy-o in my parents’ garden, under hedges and through crazy paving. I thought it was a bit of a nuisance, which is perhaps why is refuses to flower for me in our London garden!
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Good to have you on my side! I was talking about you today. Were your ears burning? I said I thought you should be the next presenter for Gardeners’ World. 🙂
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I hope it was the Director of BBC2 you were talking to? Don’t disappoint me Gill! I was only thinking last week, in my lemsip-addled state, that it was now or never for my imaginary TV career! You can be my agent if you like?
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You are on! (ps sorry it wasn’t the Director of BBC2 but now I am officially your agent I will get to work on it!)
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I’ll start writing my CV then 😉
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