26-07-2021
The lily - a beautiful flower for every occasion!
The lily is a type of flower that can be used for many purposes. It does very well in the garden in the perennial border. It is also extremely suitable for use in pots or planters and it is a beautiful flower to put in a vase. Lily flowers in a vase are not only perfect for the home, but are also extremely suitable for weddings, events and other occasions.
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The lily is one of the oldest known bulbous plants we know. Depictions of the lily are found in thousands of years old writings dating from 2000 to 1500 BC. The lily is also mentioned in the bible, namely in Luke 12 vs 27: “Consider the lilies how they grow; they toil not, nor do they spin; and I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” In China and Japan, lilies have been on the dining table for thousands of years. And on the island of Santorini and Minoan pottery has been found with lily images. Without a doubt, the lily is a flower with a long history. Traditionally, the lily has been attributed many meanings such as amiability, purity, love, fertility, femininity, unity and transience. The symbolic meaning of flowers sometimes changes, but the lily always carries a special message. Traditionally, the lily has been attributed many meanings and by giving flowers we still want to make something clear.
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Lilies come in many different colours and shapes. There are lilies with large flowers up to a diameter of 25 cm, but also varieties with many small flowers with a diameter of only 7 cm. In one species the flowers are directed sideways and in the other species drooping. There are varieties with other reflexed petals, but also with trumpet-, shell- or star-shaped flowers.
Within the lily family (liliaceae) we distinguish between different species:
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Asian lilies
Asian lilies are characterized by trumpet-shaped flowers that can reach a diameter of up to 15 cm and a height of up to three meters. Depending on the size of the bulb, four to eight flowers develop per stem and Asian lilies are available in many fresh colours, such as white, yellow, pink, red or orange. Asian lilies have few leaves and the colour is dark green. Asian lilies do not smell.
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LA Hybrid lilies
LA hybrids with their large flowers are available in beautiful colours. LA hybrids are known for the thick stem and beautiful leaves and the flower is more pointed than the Oriental lilies. The large flowers of LA hybrid lilies look beautiful in the center of a bouquet as an eye-catcher. The flowers of the LA hybrid lilies are therefore often used for weddings.
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Oriental lilies
These originally Oriental lilies are especially popular because of their different scents and the size of the flowers. They are available in a wide variety of colours such as white and pink. As soon as the flower opens, the silky petals of the flower reveal themselves with occasional dark contrasting dots or streaks. These give a nice contrast to the colour of the flower. The Oriental lilies are often even larger than the Asian types.
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OT Hybrid lilies
This latest generation of lilies are known as Orienpets or OT hybrids. This inter-specific cross between Orientals and Asians is characterized by breathtaking flowers and large sturdy stems and leaves that can reach a height of sometimes 2 meters or more after having grown in the same place for a number of years. There are also many different colours of these OT hybrids on the market.
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Longiflorum lilies
Longiflorum lilies are also called Easter lilies or November lilies. The Longiflorum lily can grow up to 1 meter high and is characterized by its trumpet-shaped, white, fragrant, outward-facing flowers.
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Flower care
First cut the flower diagonally and put it in a clean vase and change the water every three days. When changing the flowers, cut off a piece of the stem. Do not place the vase in a too warm place; the flowers then remain longer.
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