Asiatic Lilies: A True Lily

Whether symbols of fertility, true love, wealth and prosperity, Asiatic Lilies have a lasting presence in gardens or flower arrangements. The Asiatic Lily is part of the Lilium genus in the Liliaceae family and included in what botanists call "true lilies." The Asiatic Lily is the real thing, not just a common name used to identify the flower, such as the Calla Lilly (Zantedeschia), which is not even in the Liliaceae family. The lily has also come to symbolize virtue, sweetness, humility, purity of heart, majesty and honor.

Asiatic lilies comprise a copious portion of the genus, where nearly half the lilies bred are from Asia. Lilies have a long history in Asia, where they were used for offerings to the gods for purification and fertility. For nearly 3000 years, cultivation of the Asiatic lilies embraced a meaning of prosperity and eternal love in the Chinese Feng Shui aesthetic.¹ Beyond the aesthetics of Asia, the image of the lily has been found on Egyptian tombs, Cretan wall paintings and Assyrian carvings as far back as 1580(bc).²

The ancient Greeks also ingrained the lily as an emblem of fertility in their mythology. The Greek's gave the flower its genesis from the droplets of Hera's goddess milk as she nursed the demigod Hercules.³ The word Lily itself is derived from the Latin and then Greek word, Leirion, which became Lilium, dubbing the flower's genus. In French, it became "lis", being used as "fleur-de-lis" which means lily flower. Although, the common fleur-de-lis emblem is styled after the Iris flower.⁴

Compared to other members of the lily genus, the Asiatic is more subtle in size, but far more diverse in color. They either boldly pronounce a single color or blend dual shades, grown in burgundy, red, peach, orange, yellows and whites. The Asiatic varieties don't herald the scent found in the overwhelming Stargazer lily (which is an Oriental Hybrid lily), but their trumpet shape is ubiquitous in gardens and flower arranging.

The Asiatic lily can blend marvelously into a plethora of flower arranging styles. Whether it is pronouncing a spring bouquet, complimenting a tropical display, or capturing the focal point of a Japanese Ikebana arrangement. You can try your hand at arranging Asiatic lilies and pick up a bunch, now on special on Mainstreet Flower Market in Parker, Colorado. As one resident designer said about the Asiatic, "their longevity and continual blooms are something to be admired and enjoyed." These particular Asiatic lilies are homegrown from Denver's wholesale florist, Stevens and Son, which is the largest grower of Asiatic and Oriental lilies in the Rocky Mountain region.

While those with floral allergies can be deathly afraid of the Stargazer lily, the Asiatic lily emits no scent at all. Though, the Asiatic lily is not entirely free from being a threat, as it may be toxic to pets, especially cats. It may take a few days for all of the lily's buds to bloom, and its vase-life will prevail anywhere from 4 to 10 days.⁵ To help prolong a cut Asiatic lily's vase life, remove the pollen that will develop around the anther, which are at the tips of the filaments protruding from the lily's center. This will prevent staining on the petals and it's as simple as lightly grabbing the numerous reddish brown tips and gently pulling the residue off with your fingers or a tissue.

Something to keep in mind; Lilies are the birth month flower for the month of May. Mainstreet Flower Market has extended their special on Asiatic Lilies through the week of May 3 - May 8th.

Sources
1) types-of-flowers.org
2) Pyramid Flowers
3) Pyramid Flowers
4) Article on Irises by Jason Cangialosi
5) Stevens and Son