Which lily is white?
Two species account for most of the white lilies people picture. The Madonna lily, Lilium candidum, is a very old garden plant with pure white, sweetly scented trumpets in midsummer. The Easter lily, Lilium longiflorum, is a long white trumpet, grown in quantity for the Easter trade. Many Oriental hybrids also come in white, often with a fierce perfume.
What white lilies stand for
In the language of flowers, white lilies traditionally symbolise purity and renewal. That is why they turn up so often at weddings, at First Communion and Confirmation, and in sympathy arrangements. Searches for the meaning of white lilies are mostly about this, and the answer is nearly always "purity".
Keeping white lilies looking fresh
White petals show every mark, so handling matters.
- Snip the stem at a slant and strip any leaves that would sit under water.
- Remove the pollen-heavy anthers as soon as buds open, using a tissue. Pollen on a white petal leaves an orange smudge that will not wash out.
- Keep the vase out of direct sun and well away from ripening fruit.
- Expect roughly ten days to two weeks, as buds open one after another.
A household warning
Every part of a true lily is dangerous to cats and can lead to kidney failure, including vase water. This applies to Madonna and Easter lilies as much as to the coloured ones. Calla lily and peace lily are different plants. In a house with a cat, choose another white flower or place the lilies in a room the cat cannot enter.
