A Beautiful Easter Tradition: The Easter Lily
As the Easter weekend approaches, the stores are filled with beautiful and fragrant Easter lilies. But did you know how the tradition of the Easter lily began?
Easter lilies did not exist in North America until about 100 years ago. The white trumpet lily, which blooms naturally in Spring, is said to have been brought here from Bermuda. The popular name "Easter lilies" comes from the fact that they bloom around Easter time.
Easter lilies have become associated with Easter as much as poinsettias are with Christmas. In early Christian art the lily is a symbol of purity because of its delicacy of form and its whiteness.
You can plant your Easter lily outside after it is done blooming and it will come back the following year and even reproduce.
And while the plants you find in the stores, have been "forced" to bloom for the Easter holidays, the lilies in your garden may take an extra week or so to open their beautiful blooms.
In my Florida landscape, the plants are now about a foot tall and the flower buds are forming so with continuing warm temperatures, I can expect the plants to flower in about two weeks.
Happy Easter!
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