Plant of the month
Hilary originally started the 'Plant of the Month' series as a way to support her former apprentices in learning more about a wide variety of plants.
What began as a teaching tool has grown into a year-round feature on our social media, where we highlight a different plant each month.
Throughout the month, we share information, examples, and interesting facts to help our community discover and appreciate the diversity of the plant world.
May - Plant of the Month - Wisteria
Wisteria, also known as Wistaria, is a spectacular climber that puts on a breathtaking display from early to late spring, with flowers in shades of white, pink and purple. Even in winter, the bare stems bring character to the garden.
Main types:
• Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria) – Grows up to 8m with longer racemes, and twines clockwise.
• Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria) – Can grow up to 25m and twines anti-clockwise.
(Note: Wisteria japonica is now classified as Millettia japonica.)
A fun detail: you can tell the species apart by the direction in which they wind.
Important note: The seeds and pods are highly poisonous to both humans and animals – particularly dogs – even though the flowers are sometimes used as decoration in confectionery. Their edibility rating suggests they’re best admired, not eaten.
Wisteria may grow slowly at first, but its vines become incredibly strong and can damage weaker supports, so choose structures carefully. Flower buds form in late summer for the following spring, typically opening from mid to late April.
Whether climbing over a pergola or spilling down a wall, Wisteria is a beautiful – but powerful – addition to the garden.
Photo 1: Terri’s Wisteria
Photo 2: Hiroaki Kaneko, CC BY-SA 3.0
April - Convallaria majalis (kon-val-LAIR-e-a mag-A-lis) — Lily of the Valley
Caution: Highly poisonous to animals, including humans.
The flowering period of these strongly scented blooms is quite short, lasting only three to four weeks. However, thanks to their ability to thrive in partial to full shade and spread via rhizomes, they make a charming yet practical addition to many gardens.
In some areas, they’re even considered invasive due to their persistence — truly a case of horses for courses!
The mid-green leaves emerge in spring from shoots that have lain dormant over winter. These are soon followed by delicate, white, bell-shaped flowers hanging from arching racemes. By autumn, the foliage dies back, with fresh growth appearing the following spring.
In France, there’s a lovely tradition on 1st May where children give sprigs of Lily of the Valley to women in neighbouring homes while singing:
“Le Muguet, le muguet, le muguet, le premier mai”
(Lily of the Valley, Lily of the Valley, Lily of the Valley, the first of May)
It’s a sweet gesture meant to bring good luck and happiness with the arrival of spring.
📷 Photo credits:
Photo 1: GT1976 - Wikipedia
Photo 2: Creative Commons licence, Author: 些細な日常
Caution: Highly poisonous to animals, including humans.
The flowering period of these strongly scented blooms is quite short, lasting only three to four weeks. However, thanks to their ability to thrive in partial to full shade and spread via rhizomes, they make a charming yet practical addition to many gardens.
In some areas, they’re even considered invasive due to their persistence — truly a case of horses for courses!
The mid-green leaves emerge in spring from shoots that have lain dormant over winter. These are soon followed by delicate, white, bell-shaped flowers hanging from arching racemes. By autumn, the foliage dies back, with fresh growth appearing the following spring.
In France, there’s a lovely tradition on 1st May where children give sprigs of Lily of the Valley to women in neighbouring homes while singing:
“Le Muguet, le muguet, le muguet, le premier mai”
(Lily of the Valley, Lily of the Valley, Lily of the Valley, the first of May)
It’s a sweet gesture meant to bring good luck and happiness with the arrival of spring.
📷 Photo credits:
Photo 1: GT1976 - Wikipedia
Photo 2: Creative Commons licence, Author: 些細な日常
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April - Convallaria majalis (kon-val-LAIR-e-a mag-A-lis) — Lily of the Valley
Caution: Highly poisonous to animals, including humans.
The flowering period of these strongly scented blooms is quite short, lasting only three to four weeks. However, thanks to their ability to thrive in partial to full shade and spread via rhizomes, they make a charming yet practical addition to many gardens.
In some areas, they’re even considered invasive due to their persistence — truly a case of horses for courses!
The mid-green leaves emerge in spring from shoots that have lain dormant over winter. These are soon followed by delicate, white, bell-shaped flowers hanging from arching racemes. By autumn, the foliage dies back, with fresh growth appearing the following spring.
In France, there’s a lovely tradition on 1st May where children give sprigs of Lily of the Valley to women in neighbouring homes while singing:
“Le Muguet, le muguet, le muguet, le premier mai”
(Lily of the Valley, Lily of the Valley, Lily of the Valley, the first of May)
It’s a sweet gesture meant to bring good luck and happiness with the arrival of spring.
📷 Photo credits:
Photo 1: GT1976 - Wikipedia
Photo 2: Creative Commons licence, Author: 些細な日常