Lilies from Bulbs to Stems

  Lilies come in a variety of different forms – from water lilies to oriental and Asiatic varieties which come in splashes of exotic colors. They are generally a robust plant, suitable for growing at home, or cutting to be used in flower arrangements or bouquets.

The classic lily color that people tend to associate with this plant is white – and the symbol for peace. There is even a variety called the Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum floribundum) which is a tropical house plant that has a very simple, almost leaf like flower with a pure white center.

All lilies make great house plants, and are perfect as a gift, either pre-potted on in bulb form. As a gift, end especially when ordering over the internet, the bulb has several clear advantages. Firstly, you are likely to be able to afford more bulbs than plants, and transport costs are likely to be much lower.

Secondly, there is no worry of the plant arriving damaged or substandard. Of course, you should take care to ensure that the bulbs that are sold have not been over cut. This happens when a vendor sells on a bulb that has previously been used for cultivating flowers with the express purpose of taking cut stems from it.

When the bulb no longer produces flowers in the volume that makes it efficient, the vendor will sell it on. It is likely that these bulbs will be cheaper than those that have not been abused in the same way, but the recipient will be less satisfied with the end result as the plant will tend to produce less flowers – if in doubt as to the origin of the bulb, ask!

Bulb Baskets

One great variation is the bulb basket. Some lily bulb vendors have taken to creating a whole kit for growing lilies out of the gift concept. There should ideally be a package of bulbs, a suitable pot (tall rather than squat), and a guide to care for the flowers.

This last is important, as we should always remember that many lilies are tropical flowers, and have some needs which are different to regular domestic plants. A book or guide will help the recipient to get the most from the gift that they are lucky enough to receive.

Lily Varieties

One of the most common lilies is the Calla Lily Aethiopica, and is the tall, elegant flower that is most often seen at funerals and weddings. It is also a great potted flower since it is very resistant to changes in temperature. This also means that it can be grown outdoors in many places where other, more sensitive varieties will not survive.

There are also other colors, besides the usual white, which might be more appropriate for use in bouquets that are not part of a wedding celebration or funeral. If growing these indoors, then be sure to use a retardant (such as Bonzi) otherwise they will quickly outgrow their pot!

Some of the more exotic Calla varieties to look out for include Hot Flashes, which are pink with a white or yellow interior, the orange Fire Glow or Flame varieties, and the aptly named White Dwarf. One of the best areas where Calla Liles are grown is California, and when buying them one should try to make sure that the bulbs are less than two years old at the time of sale.

At the other end of the scale is the exotic tiger lily. Tiger lilies are peculiar in that despite being native to North America and Canada, they are cultivated in the Orient for their edible bulb. All lilies actually produce bulbs that can be eaten, but only the tiger or red lily produces one that is desirable to eat. Slightly potato like in flavor, they need to be baked in an oven, and are rather less bitter than their other cousins.

The tiger lily is distinctive by its’ bright red to orange petals covered with small black spots at the base, with black tips. They grow up to a diameter of 4 inches and tend to flower in late May in areas where the plant is native. Cooler climes will be more favorable to these flowers.

The Lily of the Valley is another of the classic lilies, often given as a gift on Mother’s day, or to mark the coming of Spring on the European continent. The scent is vaguely reminiscent of onions or leeks, which is not surprising since the lily is from the same family as these vegetables.

The Lilly of the Valley is distinctive in the small white flowers that grow atop green stems, and beside large, green leaves. They are best offered as gifts in pots, rather than as cut flowers, since they do not last very long indoors – again it is a variety that prefers a slightly cooler temperature.

They can be grown outdoors, even in temperate zones, but there are a few things that one needs to be aware of. The first is that the Lilly of the Valley plant will outgrow its’ pot quite quickly, and so planting out is best done after the initial bloom has died back. The resulting bulbs will not flower every year, and may eventually cease to flower at all – but they do tend to reproduce, so there should always be some flowers.

Creating Lily Bouquets

To create a bouquet including, or built around lilies, then Asiatic lilies provide a perfect solution, being less expensive than other lilies, but having an exceptional variety of colors and forms. From soft pastels to heavier, more energetic colors such as red and orange, they can be combined with many other flowers to produce an excellent bouquet.

Considering that they can have from 4 to 6 flowers per stem, they are also economical – you do not need to have very many stems to make a splash in what would be an otherwise ordinary bouquet. Varieties to look out for include the Brunello, with it’s fiery red flowers, and orange-red buds meaning that the bouquet carries interest even when the flowers are not yet open.

The Vermeer variety offers a more pastel pink and white alternative – a calming color, but still having enough character to play more than just a supporting role in any bouquet. Finally, there are the yellow varieties such as Gironde and Pollyanna, the former with a slightly lighter, sunshine yellow and the former with a more luxurious, golden yellow petal.

These are all springtime colors and springtime varieties, although lilies tend to be available all the year round since they so easy to cultivate, robust, and many flowers can be procured from a single bulb. There are some times of the year, however, when lilies are much more in demand than others, and so it pays to know exactly when you will be able to have the pick of the bunch.

One of the most popular times to give lilies is at Easter, so much so that they are the fourth largest valued crop in the US potted plant market, at wholesale; all this inside a small, two week long sales window. The most popular is the Bermuda Lily – the so called Easter lily.

Again, the Easter lily has a white, trumpet shaped bloom, making it rather similar to the Calla lily, leading to yet another alternative name – the White Trumpet Lily. Almost all the world’s supply comes from the US (around 95%), so if you want to give Easter Lilies at Easter, be sure to get your order in early, as they are constantly in demand!
 

About the Author:

Guy Lecky Thompson is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers regarding Flowers, Lilies, Spring flowers, Tulips, Roses, Tropical and Exotic flowers and Gift Baskets. His many articles give information and tips to help people save money and make smarter decisions.