Lily
Flower Common names: lily, Asiatic lily, Oriental lily
Flower description: Trumpet-shaped flowers grow to a 6-inch diameter. Stems grow to 3 feet long, carrying four to eight blossoms. Sparse foliage is dark green. Because blooms open at various times, most lilies live one to two weeks. Colors include white, yellow, pink, red and orange; many have a deeper color (freckles) on the inner petal.
Special Care: To prevent pollen from staining petals or clothing, remove stamens.
Plant common names: lily, Easter lily
Plant description: Long, narrow leaves cover a single stem. At the top, they divide into three to seven stems, each with a single bud. Open flowers are six-pointed, white and trumpet-shaped. The fragrant blooms can last seven days to three weeks.
Special care: Keep plants watered regularly and keep soil well drained. Plants in bloom need a lot of water and prefer a well-lit location out of direct sunlight. Remove the yellow anthers to prevent staining of white petals. To reflower the next season, continue to water it until foliage matures, then plant outside in late spring.
Attention Cat Lovers: According to the ASPCA, lilies are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestion of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result. The Society of American Florists recommends keeping lilies out of the reach of cats. It is important to note that lilies do not pose a problem for other pets or humans.
