THE CALLA

Elegant and Sophisticated Lily for All Occasions

In the Victorian days of the late 1800s, calla lilies were given by devoted admirers such that the exotic South African lily was introduced in the United States, and it began to appear as a subject in American art. The introduction on our calla products page says that "The flower became even more popular with artists after Freud provided a sexual interpretation of its form that added new levels of meaning to depictions of it. The calla lily soon became a recurring motif in works by important painters and photographers, particularly Georgia O'Keeffe, who depicted the flower so many times and in such provocative ways that by the early 1930s she became known as 'the lady of the lilies.'"

Considered an elegant and sophisticated lily for all occasions,it's only in the past five years or so coloured and miniature calla lilies, which are about one-half the flower head size and stem length as the traditional white calla, have become available as imports. They are favoured in bridal work as the curving lines look wonderful in cascading styles or as a sheaf bouquet.

Peak season for the coloured callas--some 10 different colours--is January to July, but there is a supply year-round if ordered well in advance.

A LILY SHORT COURSE

Lilies of all types --hundreds of different types--are favourite cut flowers as they have several blooms to open over the lifespan of the flower vase, and are noted for their fragrance, except Asiatic lilies which are not fragrant, perhaps one reason they are less expensive than other lily types.

Oriental lilies are the show-stoppers, the undisputed royalty of lilydom:larger size, more fragrance, more flamboyance and spectacular markings.

Lilium longiflorum are classic large white, trumpet-shaped flowers, a favourite in Europe, but known in North America as the Easter lily. Think of Princess Diana's casket funeral flowers.

LA hybrids are not named for Los Angeles but for their hybridizing ancestry of longiforum lilies and Asiatic hybrids. Introduced in 1992 they have a trumpet-shape and long vase life.

FAVOURED FOR SCENT

Black Dragon:Huge, trumpet-shaped flowers with white on the inside, with soft yellow at throat and rich mahogany on the outside. Fresh and spicy like the Orientals but also a bit musky.

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