12 things I bet you didn't know about Lilies

Ohhh the sweet and lovely Lily, One of the favorites of the flower world for its Bloom size, Colorful petals, and beauty. No matter the arrangement, it seems that its the Lily that always steals the show! But did you know that despite it being one of the most common Wedding and arrangement flowers, there is still so much left to learn about our colorful friends...

Yaya's Bloom can help!

1. Lilies have one of the longest in-vase lifespans of any cut bloom, and a professional way to make them keep even longer is to clear out the pollen from their centers. This will also prevent staining on the petals.

2. Lilies are social plants, meaning they grow in groups of three to five.

3. Lilies are non-toxic to humans, but are poisonous to cats! Keep these pretty blooms away from your furry friends. Even the smallest amount of exposure can cause renal failure. (EEEEKKKK!!!!)

4. Lilies are perennial plants, meaning they can survive (and grow!) in nature without much human intervention. They flower during the spring and summer and go dormant during the winter. And they’re resourceful: they can develop from both a bulb and a seed, and grow anywhere from two to six feet in height depending on the species.

5. The lily is incredible for pollinators, attracting insects with its large colorful flowers and tasteful nectar. Certain species of lily are pollinated by wind, while others are pollinated by bees!

6. Lilies have large petals that can be white, yellow, orange, red, purple or pink in color. They can even have freckles! In fact, the Tiger Lily is named for its orange with brown spots.

7. While people generally think of all lilies as being scented, in reality, only the white lily and the tiger lily omit any fragrance. (This is good to know if you are trying to create a sweet aroma or even trying to avoid it)

8. The lily has a vast diversity of symbolism throughout the world. In fact, different colored lilies represent different things altogether. While the white lily represents purity, the tiger lily represents pride or confidence. In Japan and China, lilies are a traditional symbol of good luck, whereas Greek lore associates the flower with motherhood. Pink Stargazer lilies represent hope for wealth and prosperity while white Peruvian lilies are a symbol of devotion.

9. Although these flowers are toxic to our furry friends, lilies have been used medicinally and in cuisine for centuries. The edible bulbs are cultivated in China and Korea, where they are most popular in the northern and central regions. Dried lilies are an ancient laxative or diuretic, and wood lily roots are used to treat stomach disorders and fevers.

10. Dried or fresh bulbs, which have soothing and astringent properties, can be useful in treating inflammation and even ulcers.

11. All species of lilies belong to the genus Lilium, an umbrella category that houses more than 100 species of flower. That said, lilies grow in nearly every shape and color!

12. Watch out for imposters: The calla lily and water lily, for example, aren’t really lilies. The calla lily is from a genus of flowering plants called (of course) Calla, whereas water lilies belong to the Nymphaeaceae family.