Lily - Lilium candidum

Lilies give their name to the large family ‘liliacae’, which contains about 100 species. The three most common types of lily are Asiatic, oriental and longiflorum. Longiflorum lilies are also known as Easter lilies. Lilies have been cultivated for over 3000 years and grow from bulbs. They are forced to flower all year round to satisfy demand.

Lilies are large, star-shaped flowers with strong green stems. Asiatic varieties have shorter stems than other varieties and are available in almost every shade except for blue and black. They usually have several flowers per stem and are not strongly perfumed. Lilium candidum only come in white and are highly perfumed. Longiflorum lilies have tall, dark green stems with glossy green foliage topped with one or two trumpet-shaped flowers, and they are heavily scented. Oriental lilies are the largest of the lily family and have tall green stems with large glossy leaves and two or three large flowers per stem. Oriental lilies can be found in white, pale pink, red or yellow and are renowned for their heavy fragrance, large flower size and long vase life. Most lilies are moderately priced, except for Oriental lilies which can be very expensive.

Flower Symbolism:

Lilies have been a symbol of purity since the 12th century. Different types are also associated with chastity, virtue, faith, wisdom, chivalry, royalty, beauty, wealth, pride, virginity, sweetness and gratitude. It is the most significant flower symbol for Christians, meaning purity, and is associated with virgins. In early paintings the angel Gabriel is shown giving the Virgin Mary a branch of pure white lilies announcing that she is to be the mother of the Christ child. Other Biblical paintings show saints bringing vases of lilies to Mary and Jesus Christ as gifts. Although lilies predominantly symbolise purity, different types and colours have other meanings too. Longiflorum lilies are a symbol of hope, beauty and life. Yellow lilies mean ‘I’m walking on air’ and denote happiness. Orange lilies can represent wealth or pride. Stargazer lilies represent ambition, and calla lilies are a symbol of magnificent beauty.

Did you know...

Longiflorum lilies are arranged in churches at Easter to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lilies can be highly poisonous to cats.

Feng shui followers see the lily as a symbol of Summer and abundance.

If you dream of lilies in Spring it is said to foretell of marriage, happiness and prosperity, but if you dream of lilies in Winter it is said to indicate frustration.

The lily is the birth flower of May.