Lily of the valley is a small, delicate plant with bell-shaped white flowers that hang in clusters along a curved stem, releasing a sweet, powerful fragrance in late spring. Each tiny flower looks like a perfect little bell, and they grow together like a string of bells hanging from an arched branch.

Despite its innocent appearance and lovely scent, lily of the valley is surprisingly tough. It spreads quickly through gardens, its broad green leaves pushing up through the soil each spring. Gardeners often plant it in shady spots where other flowers struggle to grow.

The plant appears in many fairy tales and stories because of its magical appearance. In France, people traditionally give bouquets of lily of the valley on May 1 as a symbol of spring and good luck.

Here's something important to know: every part of lily of the valley is poisonous if eaten, from its roots to its bright red berries that appear in late summer. The plant's scientific name, Convallaria majalis, refers to the cool, shaded valleys where it often grows wild in forests across Europe and Asia.