Lily
MainAll seasons
The lily is an elegant, large flower whose six petals open wide like a star. Its big, trumpet-shaped blooms and tall, upright stems together lend an instant, composed grace to a bouquet. Its deep fragrance — soft yet carrying far — is the lily's greatest charm, so that even a single stem can change the whole feeling of a room. The genus Lilium grows across the temperate Northern Hemisphere, an ancient flower whose dozens of wild species once spread through East Asia, Europe, and North America. Its Chinese-character name, 百合, comes from the shape of the bulb, formed of many overlapping scales layered one upon another — literally a hundred scales joined together. In the West it has long appeared in paintings and sacred art as the holy flower of the Virgin Mary, and it has been cherished as the flower of Easter. Its season runs from spring into summer, so it turns up especially often in the bouquets of these months.
The story of its meaning
The White Lily means "A pure heart" — a meaning drawn from its flawless white petals, for the lily was long offered in sacred, spotless places. Western art returns again and again to the scene of an angel handing the Virgin a lily precisely because the flower stood for purity. So the white lily has come to be seen as right for offering unadorned sincerity and clear respect. Change the color and the feeling carried changes with it. The Pink Lily means "Abundance and prosperity", its warm pink standing in for wishes of plenty and good fortune. It suits, above all, occasions that cheer on a fresh start or wish someone a flourishing future. In this way the lily, though one flower, divides its meaning by color — pure devotion in white, the blessing of abundance in pink — a flower you can choose to match the sentiment you wish to send.
Meanings by color
- White LilyA pure heart
- Pink LilyAbundance and prosperity
When to gift it
With its neat, clear-eyed look, the White Lily suits occasions that carry respect and gratitude — a thank-you bouquet for a teacher or an elder, or a formal celebration, where lilies at the center convey a dignified heart. Thanks to its pure, clean symbolism it has also long kept company with moments that call for consolation, and with occasions of remembrance. The Pink Lily, true to its "Abundance and prosperity", fits congratulatory bouquets that wish someone flourishing — an opening, a move to new premises, a promotion. Its warm color adds a bright spirit, making it good to hand to someone on the edge of a new beginning. Because it is so deeply fragrant, it suits, above all, a gift placed in a wide space rather than a cramped room, and even a stem or two has enough presence to anchor a bouquet. It becomes a gift the recipient can keep and enjoy — its scent and its form together — for a long while.
Pairing tips
With large blooms and a strong scent, the lily is a main flower, so it is best to build the center of the bouquet around it and leave the other flowers to play a supporting role. A stem or two already carries enough volume and weight, so rather than crowding in more, arrange it with breathing room and its dignity comes through all the more. With White Lilies, add deep greenery like Ruscus and Fern along with the small blooms of Baby's Breath for a clear, composed mood. With Pink Lilies, add soft flowers of the same warmth, such as Waxflower or Sweet Pea, to carry the eye naturally into a warm pastel tone. A light touch of Eucalyptus as greenery, left with some open space, makes the elegant line of the great blooms stand out all the more. Because its stems are straight and firm they hold the frame of a bouquet well, so set the lily first to build the center, then fill the gaps with fillers and greenery to keep the balance easily. The pollen-laden stamens of an open bloom stain clothes and petals stubbornly once they touch, so pinching them off gently before you build the bouquet keeps it clean and lovely for longer.