Easter Lily is actually a native of the southern islands of Japan. They are also called Lilium longiflorum or White-robed apostles of hope. They were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ’s agony

 

Their large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers and wonderful fragrance. Shiny, dark green, lanceolate leaves around central stout stem. Large, fragrant, white trumpet-shaped flowers at top of leafy green stalk.

 

The lily doesn't survive as a houseplant, but it can be planted outdoors where it should bloom again. Until it is safe to plant outdoors, keep the plant in a sunny window and water thoroughly when slightly dry. Select a bright sunny spot in the garden to plant the bulb. Remove the plant from the container and loosen the root system. There will be some torn roots, but it is better for the plant than the compacted root system it has in the container. Plant the bulb a few inches deeper than it was in the container and cover with soil. Water thoroughly and fertilize with an all-purpose garden fertilizer. Remove the yellow anthers from the flower centers. This helps prolong the life of the blossoms.

 

It is extensively cultivated as a cut flower. It has irregular blooming periods in nature, and this is exploited in cultivation, allowing it to be forced for flowering at particular periods, such as Easter. However, it can be induced to flower over a much wider period.

 

Did you know?

·        It is a perfect gift of nature to beautify Easter and is the main flower of the Easter floral arrangements.

·        The flowers symbolize purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life-the spiritual essence of Easter.

·        Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress. Churches continue this tradition at Easter time by banking their altars and surrounding their crosses with masses of Easter Lilies, to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and hope of life everlasting.

·        These lilies amongst some other types of lilies, are poisonous to cats.