Lily, Asiatic

SEASONALITY
➜ Available Year-Round

DESIGN TYPE
➜ Focal Flower

VASE LIFE
➜ Moderate to Long–Lasting

BLOOM SIZE
➜ 4–6in

STEM LENGTH
➜ 50–90cm

➜ Asiatic lilies can comfortably remain dry-packed for 2–3 days, though processing them sooner gives unopened buds more time to develop before your event

➜ Give stems a fresh angled cut and allow 3–4 hours of hydration before evaluating bloom stage or beginning production

➜ Don't judge a stem by the number of open flowers when it arrives—healthy buds will continue opening in sequence, dramatically changing the look of the stem over several days

➜ Remove foliage that will sit below the water line to help maintain excellent water quality during conditioning

➜ Once flowers begin opening, remove the pollen-bearing anthers—staining is a concern, especially for weddings, sympathy work, and white or pastel color palettes

➜ Keep stems in the cooler whenever possible to slow bloom progression and give yourself more flexibility leading up to your event

➜ Asiatic lilies are beautiful in everyday vase arrangements, sympathy tributes, church florals, large event pieces, hotel arrangements, and seasonal centerpieces where dependable color and impressive bloom count add lasting value

➜ Build your event recipes using a mix of bloom stages, allowing some flowers to provide immediate impact while others continue opening after delivery

➜ Give opening blooms plenty of clearance during transport—the petals are thick, but newly opened flowers bruise easily if they're pressed against other materials

➜ Plan your order around your event date rather than your delivery date—lilies reward good timing more than almost any other focal flower

POSITIVES ➜
♡ Large, impactful blooms
♡ Fairly long-lasting focal flower
♡ Excellent visual impact
♡ Available in a wide range of colors

NEGATIVES ➜
✗ Pollen can (will) stain fabric if left unplucked
✗ Open blooms require adequate design space and care to avoid damage
✗ Some customers hear "lily" and immediately start asking about pollen
✗ They're not particularly interested in blending into the background

What’s the difference between Asiatic and Oriental lilies?
➜ Asiatic lilies typically present with rounder petal edges and little to no scent; blooms tend to naturally open a little quicker
➜ Oriental lilies usually have much larger blooms with
sharp petal edges, and are highly fragrant

Can lilies arrive as buds?
➜ More often than not—lily blooms are extremely delicate;
to prevent damage, farms will pack and ship lilies in bud-form, or slightly past when they've cracked and started showing color
➜ This is standard practice, and is possible because lily buds continue to develop and open after they're cut, unlike many other flowers

Do Asiatic lilies have pollen?
➜ Yes, just like Oriental lily varieties, Asiatic lilies also have distinct pollen anthers within their petals

Should I remove the pollen?
➜ Yes, especially if staining is a concern—removing the anthers as each bloom opens helps protect clothing, linens, and surrounding flowers

How can I tell if a stem is going to open well?
➜ Look for plump, healthy buds with good color and firm stems rather than focusing only on the number of open blooms

What's the advantage of Asiatic lilies over Oriental lilies?
➜ Asiatic lilies typically open earlier, have little to no fragrance, and offer bold, vibrant colors, making them a versatile choice for customers sensitive to scent

Can I use lilies if my event is several days away?
➜ Absolutely—in fact, that's often ideal, giving the buds time to mature naturally into their full display by the day of your event

☆ One stem often provides multiple opening blooms
☆ Strong color impact with excellent visibility
☆ Less fragrant than Oriental lilies
☆ Excellent focal flower for large arrangements
☆ Looks impressive even before fully opening

☆ Roses
☆ Hydrangea
☆ Stock
☆ Alstroemeria
☆ Delphinium
☆ Chrysanthemums
☆ Italian Ruscus

☆ Lilies continue opening after harvest, often providing several days of changing bloom stages—one stem can produce multiple blooming flowers over time

☆ Asiatic lilies are among the earliest lilies to bloom, making them a seasonal favorite throughout spring and early summer

☆ Modern breeding has produced an incredible range of colors, including vibrant yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, whites, and striking bicolors

☆ Unlike many Oriental lilies, most Asiatic varieties produce little to no fragrance, making them a popular choice for hospitals, churches, and customers who prefer scent-free flowers