Lilies Flowers: Description, Symbolism, Growing and Care Tips

Lilies is one of the most famous and popular flowers in the world. Famous for its charming beauty, enrichment aroma and full symbol, Lilies has kept people of cultures and races in their hands. Whether gardens, religious events, or flower arrangements, Lilies holds an everlasting place in the world of flowers.

As discussed in this all-inclusive guide, we learn all we should know about lily as we get to learn interesting facts, historical background, the types of plants and their growth points as well as their cultural meaning.

What Are Lilies?

Lilies are flowering plants that belong to the Lilium breed in the Liliaceae family. Lilies perennial bulbous plants from the moderate areas of the northern hemisphere grow from underground bulbs. Their -shaped flowers open in a wide row of colors, including white, pink, yellow, orange, red and purple.

The Lilies are typically long, from a thick trunk and big and apparent flowers that have the capability to blossom at the start of the fall to the ending of summer in any form.

History of Lilies

Egyptian: Ancient Texts and Symbolism Meanings

Lilies has been cultivated for more than 3,000 years and has appeared in ancient texts, religious art and legends. The earliest records of Lilies are from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. In Greek myths, it was believed that the Queen of the Lilies gods came out of diamond milk.

The ancient Egyptians linked Lilies with fertility and regeneration, often used them in art and art.

In the Roman culture, Lilies is a symbol of purity and is often prominent in bridal sheets and public events.

Christianity’s Symbol and Medieval Faith

In Christianity, the white Lilies – often called Madonna Lily – Virgin represents Mary’s purity and divine role. This symbol passed through the periods of the Middle Ages and the secondary, in many religious artists and arthritis.

Exploring Botanical Varieties and Categories

Major Lily Groups

Lilies has been classified in several large parts based on their genetic heritage and development properties. Lily’s most famous groups are included:

1. Asiatic Lilies
   • They are colorful and bloom early.
   • They have no unique smell, and therefore, they are used more in an indoor setting.
2. Oriental Lilies
   • These are well known for their big flowers and scent.
   • Bloom later on in the season.
3. Trumpet Lilies
   • Having the shape of a trumpet and extremely aromatic.
   • Sometimes employed in decorations of church.
4. Martagon Lilies
   • Distinctive because they have down-turned petals which are recurved.
   • Better shade tolerant than other varieties.
5. Longiflorum Lilies (Easter Lilies)
   • Related with Easter and religious faith.
   • Usually white, and trumpet-shaped.
6. Species Lilies
   • The ancestor of hybrid lilies is wild forms.
   • Grows naturally in Asia, Europe and North America.

The Secret and Interesting Facts About Lilies

• Not all plants called “lily” are real lilies. For example, Daylilies and Water Lilies are related to different families of plants.
• Lily are poisonous for cats. Even a small amount of pollen, leaves or water from the bouquet can cause kidney malfunction in cats.
• lilies is a symbol of different things in different cultures. Although they often represent purity, they can stand for passion, maternity, or memory.
• Some lily can reach the height of 6 feet or more, especially in the maximum growing conditions.
• Along with roses, tulips and carnations, Lilies are among the leading-cut flowers internationally.

Traditional and Symbolism, Meanings of Lilies

Symbolism by Color

• White lilies: Often selected for both weddings and funerals, the white lilies are a sign of renewal of the soul. This meaning represents purity, determination and regeneration, which is why they are often chosen as a flower of sympathy.
• Pink flowers: Pink Lilies stand for love, femininity and praise. So they are the best gifts for your favorite female friends and family members when they need a little confidence or need to pick up.
• Yellow lilies: The yellow Lilies make very good ‘thanks’ flowers. They are a symbol of sugar and their sunshine awakens the feelings of happiness that certainly brings a smile to your favorite person’s face.
• Orange Lilies: Positively and warmly, the best flowers for sending orange lilies are when you want to say that you are doing a great job on a new job, a new home or personal success.
• Red lilies: Bright and fire, red lily represents love and passion. This is a welcome change in the red rose in the romance bouquet.
• Purple lilies: Purple colors stand up to be special and fancy, such as royalty. They also have a spiritual feeling, which means they can represent a sense of wonder and respect for things outside the daily world. Therefore, the purple lilies are about to look beautiful and have a deeper relationship with something big or more meaningful.

Global Cultural Significance

• China: Lilies is a popular wedding flower that is a symbol of 100 years of love.
• Victorian England: Flowers helped people to say what they could not say, and the beauty and polished ways of the high society were found by using Lilies.
• Hinduism: Lilies are considered to be symbol of abundance and fertility and are also associated with goddess of wealth

Growing and Caring for Lilies

Planting Lilies

Lilies grows well with a partial shade from the whole sunshine in the dry soil. They prefer acidity slightly compared to neutral soil pH and need good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

When to apply: Apply bulbs at the beginning of autumn or spring.

Depth: The bulbs should be applied to about 6 inches depth.

Distance: Leave 8-12 inches between the bulbs.

Care and Maintenance

• Watering: Lilies are water loving plants and should be given water all the time all the more so in the dry mantra. Nevertheless, do not pour in additional water which may lead to rotting of the bulb.
• Stocking: Stocking might be required to avoid falling of high varieties.
• Dead Heading: Remove the flowers spent to stimulate more flowers and prevent seeds.
• Fertilizer: Use balanced fertilizer in the growing season to promote healthy flowers.
• Protection from winter: In cold weather, make too much milets during the winter or dig and store the bulb inside the house.

Common Pests and Diseases

“Lilies are susceptible to several pests and diseases, including:

• Red Lily Beetles: They are red in color beetles which can consume all the leaves of a lily plant in a very little time.
• Aphids: Aphids are small, sap sucking insects: they can carry viruses.
• Botrytis Blight: It is caused by the fungus type of disease; it is characterized by brown spots on the petal and leaf.
• Basel Route: a fungus disease which makes the bulb rotten.

To avoid complications, use clean gardening methods, planting them in different locations and disposing sick plants early.

Lilies Are Cultural Icon, Arts, Books and Media

Lilies are an object of inspiration to the writers and artists since centuries. These flowers have made an enormous contribution to culture: we all know the romantic poems by Shakespeare, the amazing paintings of lilies made by Claude Monet.

• Art: Lilies: Introduced in the paintings of the Renaissance in order to indicate chastity and heavenly beauty.
• Literature: LILIES In a great number of poems and stories lilies are symbols of transient beauty or unhappy affection.
• Movie and Pop Culture: the lilies are used in the movies, logos, and even tattoos to represent grace and spirituality.

Fun Facts and Unusual Information

• Lilium giganteum is the largest species of lilies that can reach a height of 12 feet in the Himalayas.
• May has the lily flower as the May birth flower which symbolizes humility and devotion.
• In some Asian cuisines bulbs of Lily are edible particularly the Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) that is cooked as in soup or in stir-fry.

Conclusion

Besides being beautiful flowers, lilies exude a cultural richness and natural beauty of elegance and a history of these flowers. As a gardener, florist, or an enthusiast of flowers, it is always good to learn the history, varieties and symbolism of lilies so that one can enjoy this beautiful flower better.

Throughout myths to a contemporary bouquet, lilies have passed the time test. Their beauty is rivaled by the wonders that they bring and the many stories that they tell, and thus they are evergreen in the world of garden as well as in hearts.