The Lily :

FROM SIMPLE, PURE WHITE LILIES TO COLOURFUL, EXOTIC VARIETIES, IT’S NO WONDER THAT MANY BRIDES – TO – BE ARE CHOOSING LILIES FOR BOTH THEIR BOUQUETS AND VENUE AND RECEPTION DECORATIONS

With their sweet smell, beautiful shape and, of course, abundance of colours to choose from, it’s easy to understand why lilies are always a popular choice for brides and weddings. The wide range of lilies available makes them the perfect wedding day flowers – whether you choose to incorporate them into your bouquet, pedestal displays or table arrangements. When it comes to lilies, floral designer Jane Packer is the ultimate fan: ‘For me, the lily is one flower variety in particular that seems to defy nature, ‘she explains.

‘Long, tubular buds will open out as huge, curly petals of colour crowned with a handful of staggering stamens .And shaded from the softest pinks to the most brilliant reds, they’re so beautiful that they work in any number of different arrangements, ‘adds Jane. For classic elegance on your wedding day, you can’t go wrong if you choose white lilies such as the Madonna lily. These beautiful flowers. With their pure white petals and fabulous scent, make a wonderful choice for the traditional bride.

But for the more daring bride - to - be, how about choosing the vibrant red Jet Fire lily or lively yellow African Queen lily? Both varieties are perfect for injecting colour into bouquets and table arrangements. And for brides considering a topical theme, think about Asiatic lilies, which have lots of buds and bright, spotted blossoms, or Oriental hybrids with a rich scent and range of striking colours. Lilies usually flower between early and late summer, but tropical varieties of lilies are available all year round.

Popular Stargazer lilies, with their definitive pink speckled petals, are a fabulous choice as they flower all year round and are a great way to brighten up a winter wedding. Calla lilies are becoming increasingly more popular, as their unusual shape, unique scent and range of colours mean they’re not only versatile but also incredibly stylish.

White calla lilies are traditionally used in church arrangements and bridal bouquets, as the fresh white colour reflected in the petals is perfect for symbolising purity.

Often referred to as “the Queen of Flowers,” the glamorous lily can definitely make you feel like a member of royalty if you carry it on your wedding day. It has been associated with godliness, and to numerous societies it has represented purity, fruitfulness, and youthful innocence not bed qualities to embody (even if just for the wedding day). The white lily carries a great deal of religious symbolism, especially in its many relationships to sacred female figures. In tales of Greek mythology, the flowers were said to have sprouted from the ground where the breast milk of the goddess Hera had fallen. In Christian circles, the lily has been linked with the Virgin Mary. The classic. Enduring white lily is thought to have existed since the end of the Ice Age.


With three to seven flower heads on a single stem and a moderate price, the lily offers a lot of value for its cost, and it is generally available year – round. It also comes in many forms – the blooms can be star – shaped or trumpet shaped, with plain, striped, or spotted petals, in white, yellow, orange, pink, or red. Keep in mind that no flower is perfect, and the lily is, of course, no exception. One of its pros is also one of its cons : its strong, heavy smell can be seductive to some while outright irritating to others. In addition, if the flower is left intact its stamens shed pollen that can stain anything they touch (your gown, your hands, the tablecloths, and so on), so it’s best to have the stamens removed. There are four lily types that savvy brides might consider : Oriental, Asiatic, longiflorum, and gloriosa



1. Asiatic Lily
When you picture a lily, you are most likely envisioning the Asiatic variety, which are the ones usually found at your local florist or grocer. The long stems of these lilies are abundant with blossoms that burst with vivid color : Asiatic lilies are less expensive than the Oriental variety, but their flowers are also smaller and grow closer together; as a result. They’ re an excellent choice for large. Compact bouquets.



2. Longiflorum Lily
This pure – white, extremely fragrant flower is commonly known as the Easter lily. Its large, trumpet – shaped blossoms are depicted in medieval religious paintings; due to the flower’s association with the Virgin Mary, it is also known as the madonna lily. A native of Japan, the longiflorum lily was first brought to America in 1919. Today , very few growers produce this flower, and it is available for only limited periods during the year.



3. Gloriosa Lily
While technically not of the lily family (it grows on a climbing vine, not from a bulb), this flower’s reflexed petals and stamens bear a resemblance to those of true lilies. Generally pinkish red tipped with yellow, the gloriosa, or Rothschild lily, adds tropical punch to bouquets and arrangements.



4. Oriental Lily
Oriental lilies grow fewer blossoms than Asiatic lilies, and, though pricier, only a couple of stems are needed to make a big impact. Oriental lilies grow in shades of pink and red, but the most notable for brides is the white “Casablanca,” which is very long lasting and fragrant.