Stretching as far back as 1580 B.C. the Lily has been a symbol of beauty and love. It’s been used in wedding centerpieces and bridal bouquets all over the globe. In fact, its stunning appearance makes it the second most popular flower in world, just behind roses. Many countries actually prefer the Lily over roses and feel they better represent love. The ancient Greeks believed that the Lily was created from the milk of ‘Hera’, or the Queen of the Gods.
Today we know them to be a native flower to China, Japan, and most of the northern hemisphere. In some of these societies, the Lily has traditionally stood for good luck, purity, majesty, and even considered holy. Lilies have also been used to treat depression and toxicity in herbal medicinal practices and continue to lift spirits to this day. For many cultures, the trumpet shaped flower has represented the soul leaving the body for the afterlife in a funeral arrangement.
Oriental Lilies are a relatively new breed of Lily. They are a hybrid between two flowers that are also in their genus, Lilium Auratum and Lilium Speciosum. Orientals differ from Asiatic and other Lilies by their growth and cultivation season. The stem length of Oriental’s can reach up to 6ft. in their natural habitat and when the flower is fully open, the diameter can be upwards of 9”. They also bloom later in the season than Asiatic Lilies, sometimes reaching into the fall. Other types of perennial Lilies don’t have the elegantly ruffled petals that the Oriental Lily features.
There’s anywhere between 3-6 flowers per stem and here at Wholesale Flowers and Supplies, we sell them in grower’s bunches of 5 stems. The two commonly known types of Oriental Lilies are identified as the pink Stargazer and the huge, white Casablanca. Both of which are notorious for their romantic fragrance, which led to them becoming some of the most beloved flowers in the world. Depending on the species, some pink or Stargazer Lilies can be seen with naturally spotted petals and white edges, while others are one solid pink color. The Lily bulbs will open at different times over a period of 1-2 weeks, a characteristic that makes them a wonderful choice for your vase or arrangement.
The opening of the flower has been closely related to the birth of a child or the beginning of a relationship. Prolong the life of your Lilies and prevent staining or discoloring the petals by removing the stamens that are used to pollinate and reproduce. The Lily is edible to humans and various animals due to its high starch content. It is worth noting that the ASPCA has reported it can be toxic to cats.
Lilies have always been pleasing and noteworthy. Their beauty catches your eye and they are usually the first flower you can identify in an arrangement. The Oriental Lily is, without a doubt, one of the most marvelous flowers in the world and has rightfully symbolized everlasting love and beauty throughout history. It’s large, ruffled edge petals have been adorned in wedding arrangements for centuries and will continue to be a staple in wedding flowers. Oriental Lilies continue to be one of the most respected, fragrant, and appealing flowers in the modern world.
When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other. – Chinese Proverb