May Birth Flowers: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn (gouache style)

Lily of the valley, Convallaria majalis, grows wild in some British woodlands, often on limestone. Each plant has a pair of broad leaves and an arching stem hung with small, white, scented bells, and every part of it is poisonous. Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, is the thorny native shrub of countless hedgerows. It flowers so reliably in May that one of its old names is the May tree, and its blossom gives way to dark red haws in autumn.

Plant lily of the valley in autumn, setting the rhizomes, known as pips, just below the surface of moist, leafy soil in shade. It can be slow to settle, then spreads steadily, and a leaf-mould mulch in autumn helps. Hawthorn makes an excellent wildlife hedge. Plant bare-root whips between November and March, and trim in late winter, once birds have eaten the haws and before nesting starts. That way the berries aren't wasted and you won't disturb nesting birds.

White lily of the valley bells hang beside a branch of hawthorn blossom on a cream ground. Both flowers are white and both belong to May, one low in the shade and the other high in the hedge. Keeping the palette to white and cream lets the different shapes, small bells and open blossom, carry the picture.