ASIATIC LILIES

Arranging Asiatic Lilies: Asiatic lilies are probably the most popular landscape or garden lilies. The blooms are upward or outward facing and are available in a range of colors, usually speckled with dark spots. Asiatic lilies can be found in bright and pastel shades of almost any color except blue. They are hardy compared to other lilies. Asiatic lilies differ greatly from oriental lilies in that they have the least scent of all the lilies and are smaller in size. Yellow, orange, light pink, and terracotta are the most popular colors in Asiatic lilies. Legend tells us that the first lily sprang from the breast milk of the Empress of Nature, Great Goddess Juno. For this reason the pink lily is very important in motherhood and a pink lily bouquet is often given to new mothers.

Caring for Lilies:
• Asiatic lilies are heavy water drinkers. Make sure to check the water level daily and replace with fresh water and more flower food if necessary.
• As the Asiatic lily blooms open, there will be pollen sticks (anthers) that you should remove as soon as possible. Lily pollen can stain clothing and furniture.
• Lilies bruise easily, especially the light colored ones; so handle them with care. The blooms open in succession, and you can snip off spent flowers close to the main stem.