Name
Lilium candidum was the most significant flower symbol for Christians and suggested purity. As a symbol of purity associated with virgins it became known as the Madonna Lily.
Origin
One of the first descriptions of the lily dates from the Chinese Middle Ages "the plant flowers until late autumn and there are three types, red, yellow and purple".
Colour
Some forms (Lilium longiflorum, L. candidum, oriental lilies) are highly perfumed but white only; others (asiatic lilies) are highly coloured but scent-free.
Design ideas
Some gorgeous ways to use lilies, the most glamorous of flowers
We love this idea of painting used wine bottles, which are then filled with flowers – a great example of this year’s big thing – ‘upcycling’
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Availability
All year
Care tips
Keep out of bright sunlight and draughts.
Always use flower food, as this inhibits the growth of bacteria in the water and helps the flowers open fully, but pay attention to the advice on the packet as lilies are sensitive to high concentrations of flower food.
Lily pollen can stain fabrics, but you can remove the stain using a dry brush. Hang the stained item outdoors in the sun and wind. Press adhesive tape on to the pollen (several times); the pollen will stick to the tape and come off the fabric. Do not use water as this will fix the stain. Or remove the pollen stamens by pinching them together and pulling them up out of the flower. This prolongs the flower's life as well.
Our thanks to Funny How Flowers Do That for the care tips!
Facts
Lilies have been cultivated for over 3000 years. Feng Shui believers hold the lily as an emblem of summer and abundance; to the Chinese, lily means "Forever in love".
The lily was the holy flower of the ancient Assyrians. Until the 16th century the Madonna lily was the only garden variety known, because of this the "lilies of the field" as mentioned in the bible are thought to be this specific lily.
A lily has adorned the coat of arms of the kings of France since 1179. King Chlodwig I allegedly received this 'fleur de lys', as it is called in heraldic language, from an angel. But in actual fact his flower wasn't a lily, as the name implies, but an iris. Via Louis XI the motif made its way to the coat of arms of the Medici family, and from there on to the arms of Florence and Tuscany. Interestingly, only the Florentine 'fleur de lys' has stamens like a lily.
In Greek poetry, the lily stood for tenderness. It was also referred to as the voice of cicadas or of the muses. There is a Greek myth that tells us how the lily was born from the milk of the goddess Hera. The lily still symbolises pure, virginal love in the Christian world.
In the past, various flowers were used to prepare remedies in popular medicine. In China some served as lucky charms, while others were thought to be capable of averting the evil eye. In another historical account we read that people were interested in lilies for their anti-toxic powers and their capacity of curing depressions. In Europe, too, lilies were used as a remedy against a wide range of diseases and ailments right up to the beginning of the last century.
Caution
Be aware that lilies can be highly poisonous to cats. Owners should be aware of this risk and keep their pets away from them.