Lilies In Design

Lilies have long been used in floral design due to their unique shape, multitude of colors and long-lasting quality as cut flowers. They are wonderful focal flowers – large enough to be seen at a distance, they pack a colorful impact. Designers use them for large floral displays near the church altar or outdoor ceremony site as well as in many types of bridal bouquets and guest table centerpieces. Lilies can also be featured as the main flower to decorate an arch or outdoor pergola. A few years ago for the Christmas display, Longwood Gardens created a large suspended kissing ball using nothing but lilies.

Lily varieties chosen for cut flowers are sometimes not the same as those grown for the garden. Wholesalers carry Asiatics, LA's, Orientals and OT's but not Trumpets except the white longiflorum, Easter Lily, but that is sold in a pot. Professional growers choose cultivars for certain qualities – they must ship well, open nicely, have attractive foliage and strong, long stems. Because they bruise easily, lilies are shipped totally closed. When a florist receives them, she must leave enough time for the blooms to open – hopefully in time for the event!

In recent years, LA's have become more popular than Asiatics for cut flowers. This is partially due to the stronger substance of the LA compared to the thinner Asiatic petals that often do not hold up well in designs. In my experience, the most popular lilies are the Orientals because they are larger, showier and have a heavenly fragrance. In particular, white Orientals are most in demand for wedding designs followed closely by "Stargazer", or its newer clone, "Star Fighter". A florist does need to be cautious and use Orientals with care – there is sometimes that family member or Bride very allergic to the fragrance.

Certain varieties double as good cut flowers and garden flowers – in particular, the OT's such as "Yelloween", "Robina" and "Conca d'or." Some of my favorite cut/garden flowers are "White Stargazer", "Siberia" – both white Orientals and "Sorbonne", a soft pink. My favorite LA for design work and the garden is "Royal Sunset" with its blend of apricot, pink and yellow. However, a well grown garden lily is almost always superior in form, color and other characteristics to the cut flower that has been shipped in a box and traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to the florist.

Here are some florist tips when using lilies in floral designs:

  1. Place cut stems in a clean vase or bucket in a solution of cut flower food. Trim off any foliage that is underwater. If you do not have the commercial variety of flower food, here is a simple alternative: to one quart of (slightly) warm water, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar and ½ teaspoon of bleach.
  2. If lilies are already opening, put them in a cool place to condition for several hours before starting the design. If lilies are not open, it may take 1-2 days for them to start blooming.
  3. A trick that florists often use to prevent petals from dropping off is to lightly spray the backs of the petals with a light glue (Design Master brand) that is especially formulated for cut flowers. This glue works well on other flowers that tend to shatter; mums, dahlias, peonies included.
  4. By all means, remove the pollen-bearing anthers from open lilies.

    This is a no-no in the horticulture section of a Lily Show but a must for lily designs. Pollen can stain tablecloths, wedding gowns and any other fabric it touches.
  5. Lily designs need not be complicated. A few stems in a tall glass vase make an elegant and long-lasting arrangement. Stems in water will last longer than those inserted into floral foam because it is easier for the flowers to uptake water directly.
  6. Enjoy!

Because of their beauty and versatility, lilies are often used in various types of designs. They excel as focal flowers due to their large form, vibrant color and unique shape. Our annual Potomac Lily Society show features themes that incorporate the lily as the predominate flower.

Florists use lilies in design work for weddings and other special events. Lilies make an impact from a distance and add color and fragrance to an arrangement.

Floral design pictures courtesy of Blooming Spaces Event Flowers.