Just in time for Easter, the Easter Lily is the flower for this holiday. Other spring flowers, like tulips and  cheery daffodils, may be given to celebrate the occasion, but Easter Lilies are the traditional bloom and remain the top seller at Toronto florists at this time of year.

The Easter Lily, or Lilium longiflorum, is a native of the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. The warm and humid environment of their native land was easily duplicated on the West coast of the US, where the first bulbs were imported back in the early 1940s. It became such a popular flower in the States that within 5 years, thousands of growers  were producing bulbs for the domestic market. It still remains as one of the most popular flowers in North America, reigning in the top 5. In Ontario, lilies are the seventh most popular flower amongst consumers. Growers time the flowers to bloom just in time for Easter.

Picking The Freshest Easter Lilies

Easter Lilies have larger white blooms that are wonderfully fragrant. Choose Potted plants should have an abundance of foliage in darker green.

Cut Easter Lilies should be tended to as soon as receiving them. Trim the stems with a sharp knife or pair of scissors and clean the stems of any foliage that would be submerged in water after placing in a vase. Don’t shock the flowers by placing them in cold water – the water should be lukewarm. Proper care can keep your cut flowers beautiful for up to 2 weeks.

Taking Care of Potted Easter Lily Plants

Potted Easter Lilies are a fabulous gift to give for Easter. If you’ve received one, place in a spot with plenty of indirect sunlight. The room temperature should be comfortable, on the cooler side. Keep the soil moist, however make sure to drain the excess water off.  Remove any wilted blooms by cutting them off at the base, near the stem. Their blooming period lasts for about 1-3 weeks, and don’t be surprised if your Easter Lily blooms in the summer – that’s when the flowers naturally appear (blooms during Easter are forced).

Whether cut or potted, honour your family or friends by sending an Easter Lily arrangement. Call 416-FLORIST or order online for prompt holiday delivery.

Easter is this Sunday, a day that celebrates the resurrection of Christ after he died on the cross. It is an important day for Christians around the world, although many non-Christians in Western society also celebrate this day for what it essentially symbolizes: spring, a time that welcomes new life and hope after winter, a period of lifelessness. And what better way to beckon a period vested with the breath of life than with the beauty of flowers?

The Most Popular Toronto Easter Flowers

The Easter Lily
No other flower has been associated with Easter more than the Easter Lily, available at your local Toronto Florist. This type of lily is in an ethereal white with magnificent trumpet-shaped blooms. They symbolize purity, hope, virtue and the resurrection of Christ.

The Easter Lily may be associated with Easter for several reasons. It is believed that they grew in the Garden of Gethsemane, springing forth from the drops of sweat released in Christ’s most sorrowful moments. The flowers were also believed to have been found in the tomb of the Virgin Mary after her burial, where nothing else remained. For these reasons, and several others, the Easter Lily is used to decorate homes and church altars around the world. Look out for more information about the Easter Lily on the next blog post, set for Wednesday!

Daffodils
Daffodils symbolize the unrequited love of Christ. Their vibrant rainbow of colours are a clean break from the dreary greys of winter.

Tulips
Tulips are a true sign of spring, making them ideal to give at Easter. Popular colours for Easter tulips are softer pastels, shades that are gentle and warm – much like the season itself.

Red Flowers
Carnations, roses and other flowers not traditionally associated with Easter can be given regardless, as long as they are red. When in red, these less-traditional flowers for Easter symbolize the blood of Christ. This is the tradition for some cultures, such as Italian and German.