Lilies have been around for many centuries. The earliest recording of a lily being grown in domestic gardens dates back to 1597.

Myth logically, the white lily was said to have sprung from the milk of Hera. Considered a plant of purity and was compared and was in contrast to the rose of Aphrodite. The Madonna lily was commonly grown and made an appearance in poems by Homer, alongside the rose and violets.

The botanical name given to lilies is Lilium, and is grown from bulbs underground. There are in the region of one hundred and ten different varieties of lily species found all over the world..

Lilies make wonderful vase flowers and bouquets. Lilies also make gorgeous bridal bouquets and are often part of wedding décor. With their heady scents and fantastic blooms, they are the perfect choice to mark special occasions The unmistakable scent of the St. Joseph lilyis most distinctive, and creates breathtaking arrangements. St Joseph lilies make a statement; the perfume is heady and lingers on long after removed from a room.

Arum lilies are commonly grown in many South African gardens; these are breathtaking blooms that are particularly extraordinary in yellow. Tiger lilies are proudly black and orange, hence their unique name. Lily of the Valley, flowering plants popular in gardens, is famous for their loveliness and delicate fragrance .They are perennial plants grown from bulbs, and have rhizome roots. This lily is capable of growing up to thirty centimeters tall, has flowers that are bell-shaped that later turn into little red berries. .

Lily of the valley is indigenous to woodland areas of Europe, North America and Asia.

Lilies come in an assortment of shades and patterns. Colour varieties are yellow, oranges, reds, pinks, whites and vibrant combinations. Lilies are either spotted or plain could have platters or brush marks. Lilies are never blue, though. Direction of growth is what makes this flower distinctive. They either face down, side-ways or upwards, as though smiling at the sun.

Lilies come in a variety of shapes, too. Some of these are the Turk’s Cap, Trumpet, Star, Flat and the Bowl shape. Different types of lilies are an interesting combination of colour, direction of growth and shape of flower. Planting lilies in your garden is rewarding and can attract many varieties of birds if you lean towards being an ornithologist.