Shannon Harvey Insurance

Wishing you a Happy Easter!

The Easter Lily (Latin name Lilium longiflorum) has become the traditional Easter flower. With all the different flowers available in the spring garden, this beautiful, white flower has come to symbolize the spiritual values of Easter: purity, life and renewal.

Native to Japan, Easter Lilies were imported to the United States until 1941, when World War II prompted Americans to start growing their own bulbs. Today, most of the 15 million Easter Lily bulbs grown in America are produced by just ten farms along the California-Oregon border. Easter Lilies are the fourth largest selling potted plant in America (behind the popular Christmas-time poinsettias, mums and azaleas).

According to Biblical scholars, the Easter Lily was found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas is said to have betrayed Jesus. Legend tells that white lilies miraculously sprung up from the ground where drops of Jesus' sweat and tears fell during his last hours. Today, many churches use large bouquets of lilies to adorn their altars and crosses during the Easter season.

To keep your Easter Lilies fresh and fragrant for as long as possible, purchase potted plants with flowers at various stages of opening and with abundant, dark green foliage. As the flowers open and mature, pinch off the yellow anthers before the pollen sheds. The yellow pollen will stain the other white flowers. Once a mature flower has started to wither, you may cut it off at the base to better showcase the new buds.

Easter lilies thrive in moderately cool temperatures (no higher than 65-degrees Fahrenheit) and enjoy bright, but indirect natural sunlight. Keep soil moist and well-drained. Avoid over-watering. Remove any decorative wrappings or coverings, which can trap standing water in the pot.   You can expect your potted Easter Lily to bloom for 1-3 weeks around the Easter holiday. Despite its name, the natural bloom for the Easter Lily is actually during the summer. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, the lily is brought to an early bloom in time for Easter. If you want to continue to enjoy your lily for years to come, try planting the bulb and remaining greenery in your garden after the flowering is finished. Subsequent blooms will occur naturally in the summer.

Happy Easter & enjoy the beautiful weekend!
Shannon Harvey


P.S. - I'm organizing the annual golf tournament to benefit Pendleton Place Children's Shelter on May 17th at Verdae Greens Colf Club...so if you know of anyone that may be interested in playing or sponsoring this wonderful organization's event please ask them to visit my website for more details.