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Flower Facts: The Lily

Flower Facts: The Lily

The lily is a genus of the flowering, herbaceous plants that grow from bulbs. Many species of lily are in fact at home in the northern hemisphere that is temperate. There are approximately 110 species in the entire lily family. They are prized and valued for their role as showy, big flowering plants in the garden. They also have value because of their role in both literature as well as culture.

Colors & what they symbolize/meaning

The association with symbolism and meaning in the colors of lilies has a long and storied history. The association with symbolism and meaning in the colors of lilies can be traced back all the way to ancient times. Lilies figured particularly prominently in ancient mythology, too. For example, the Ancient Greeks viewed the lily as having come directly from the milk of Hera, who was the queen of the Greek Gods. As a result, the lily was a flower that was so revered by the Ancient Greeks.

Sometimes, the colors of the lily have a distinct meaning and role in symbolism also. In example, in the Catholic tradition, a lily that has a white color is seen to symbolize both virtue as well as chastity. As an extension of this symbolism, a lily with a white color has been seen as the symbol of the purity that is associated with the Virgin Mary. The white color of a lily is also associated with the Virgin Mary being seen as the Queen of Heaven.

During the course of history, as other kinds of lilies became known by people and, thus, started to grow in popularity, too, a host of additional meanings and symbolism were attached to these flowers. Alstroemeria or Peruvian lilies stand for both devotion as well as friendship, while stargazer lilies that are white stand for sympathy. Stargazer lilies that are pink symbolize both prosperity as well as wealth. Further, Lilies of the Valley are regarded as a good present for a 2nd wedding anniversary on account of them standing for devotion and humility.

Types of lilies

The taxonomy of the lily flower falls along sections that in turn obey Comber’s classical division. The several sections of lilies are the Martagon, Pseudolirium, Liriotypus, Archelirion, Sinomartagon, Leucolirion and Daurolirion. There are more than 100 species of lilies in the whole world. Lilies are further broken down into horticultural divisions, nine of them altogether: Asiatic hybrids, Martagon hybrids, candidum hybrids, American hybrids, longflorum hybrids, Aurelian and trumpet hybrids, oriental hybrids, miscellaneous hybrids and simply species.

Asiatic hybrids are some of the earliest kinds of lilies to bloom in the year, and they are known for the ease with which they grow. Martagon hybrids are taller lilies that are known to feature whorled leaves, while candidum hybrids are not very widely available in commercial shops and include L. monadelphum, L. chalcedonicum and other European species that are related. American hybrids feature special bulbs that are constructed out of jointed scales, and longflorum hybrids are efficiently raised from seeds and are normally white trumpets that have an elegant look about them. Trumpets are what some people regard as “real” lilies on account of their appearance that includes waxy, big flowers and a whole range of colors. Oriental hybrids are not known for being easy to grow, which is particularly true in hot regions, and miscellaneous hybrids are harder to define because they are often crosses between other types of lily hybrids. Species lilies are simply lilies that occur in the wild.

Care instructions for lilies

Caring for lilies is a discipline that involves a few different aspects, each one equally important. People ought to water their lilies in such a fashion so that they receive at least 1 inch of water. It is important to note that lilies do not need to have a lot of water when they are flowering, yet it is still advised that one waters his or her lilies after their flowering has been completed, so that rooting is encouraged. Fertilizing lilies is another aspect of properly caring for them: Lilies ought to be fertilized two times in an average year, one time in the early part of the fall and the other time in the following spring. Mulching lilies is another necessity of care because doing so aids in preventing dirt from getting on to the flowers of the lilies. Mulch lilies by spreading chopped leaves, leaf mold, shredded bark and additional kinds of organic material on the soil that is encircling the lilies.

To learn more about lilies, see these links.

 

  • Meaning behind the Easter Lily

 

  • Symbol of the Madonna Lily

 

  • Symbolic Meaning of Lilies

 

  • Lily Meanings

 

  • Looking at Lily Symbolism

 

  • Lily Meanings Explained

 

  • Various Kinds of Lilies

 

  • What are Canna Lilies

 

  • Kinds of Lilies

 

  • What is a Common Day Lily?

 

  • Kinds of Water Lilies

 

  • What are Types of Lilies?

 

  • Various Kinds of Lilies

 

  • Types of Lilies

 

  • How to care for Lilies

 

  • Information on Caring for Lilies

 

 

  • How to care and plant Lilies

 

  • Caring for the Calla Lily

 

  • Easter Lily Care

 

 

  • How do you care for an Easter Lily?

 

 

 

 

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