10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Lilies

Lilies come in so many different shapes, sizes and varieties that the possibilities seem endless. Like the Sunflower and the Iris, Lilies have a long and interesting history, from ancient times to modern day.

They've been an important marker of religious symbolism; have a history of being misidentified; and have been purposefully grown for several millenia.

Here are ten interesting (we hope!) facts about this elegant, beautiful flowering plant:

Extra Large Lily Beauty Bouquet

1. Specific reports seem to vary, depending on the source, but it’s likely that there are over 100 species of Lilies.
2. Mistaken identity, part 1: Many flowers that are commonly known as Lilies do not actually fall under the classification. For example, what’s commonly known as a Voodo Lily is not actually a Lily at all.
3. Mistaken identity, part 2: You know the Quebec symbol, the fleur de lys? That translates to lily…but in fact, it’s a depiction of an Iris. 
4. Mistaken identity, part 3: Lilies were thought by several groups throughout history to have medicinal properties – claims that have been pretty much debunked.
5. Some types of Lilies can grow up to six feet in height.
6. Careful with your kitties! Some types of lilies are known to be very toxic to pets.
7. Lilies are thought to have been cultivated for over 3,000 years. 
8. Most lilies grow in the northern hemisphere, and until some 500 years ago, only one type grew outside of Asia. 
9. In China, particularly Shanghai, Lily Bulbs are used in the local cuisine.
10. Some of the more popular types of commercially-available Lilies include the Easter Lily, the Stargazer Lily, Calla Lilies, Tiger Lilies and Day Lilies.

Check out Bloomex's selection of Lilies here.

7 Fascinating Facts About The Iris

The Iris is a popular flower with Bloomex customers and it’s easy to see why. Versatile and beautiful, the Iris is generally hardy and able to grow in cooler climates. It also doesn’t require a large amount of cultivation, generally more able to survive and thrive without human intervention than many other delicate-looking flowers.

The Classic Blue Iris Bouquet

They’re found naturally in most parts of the world, and in fact can be found growing on every continent except for Australia. The flower has a rich history, from Ancient Greece, to Ancient Egypt, through colonial-era France and into modern times. Likely due to its toughness, the Iris has persisted as an exotic, gorgeous flowering plant that today makes for a well-admired flower as part of bouquets or a garden.

Here are some more interesting facts about the Iris.

1. Irises are named for the Greek Goddess Iris, due to the many different colours that they come in; Iris is the Greek word for rainbow, and the Goddess was the personification of a rainbow.
2. The Iris is a state flower of Tennessee, and the town of Greeneville in that state holds an annual Iris festival.
3. The fleur-de-lis, an emblem of Quebec and Cajun culture is a stylized version of an Iris. The Iris is also the official flower of the province of Quebec. As well, a fleur-de-lis is the symbol of the New Orleans Saints NFL football team.
4. Other stylized Iris’ used in symbolism include the flag of Brussels, Belgium, and the coat-of-arms for the Ukraine.
5. The Yellow Iris is used in water purification systems, where the roots of the plant is planted in lava-

   

   The provincial flag of Quebec
   features stylized Irises. 

   stone.
6. Irises are used in oils for modern aromatherapy, was commonly used in perfumes and medicine during ancient times, and are used as flavouring in some brands of modern Gins.
7. The Iris species consists of upwards of 300 variations, divided generally into 6 subspecies for the sake of classification.

Check out our Iris page and send some for less today, with on-time delivery and low prices available throughout Canada, the United States and Australia.