Cultivation of Lilies by Onings America

August 15, 2024 Scott Shepherd

In my 30 years of sourcing flowers, lilies have consistently stood out to me. Their variety, vivid colors, and distinct fragrances have made them a favorite in my work. The range of lilies is remarkable. From vibrant reds and oranges to gentle pinks and creams, their colors add depth and beauty to any arrangement. But what sets lilies apart for me is their fragrance. Each type of Oriental lily has its own scent profile, but if you prefer no fragrance, Asiatic lilies contain a wide range of color providing a vibrant impact while basically being free from scent.

Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Henk Onings from Onings America in two insightful episodes. In the first episode, we dove deep into the world of lilies and freesia, exploring their cultivation in detail. To complement our discussion, we’ve added a couple of guides to our blog with this one focusing on lilies.

A huge thank you to Onings America for sharing their expertise in "Cultivation of Lilies" with us. Don’t miss both episodes with Henk—available now on your favorite podcast platform. This guide is a first look at everything you need to know about growing and handling lilies, from setting up your greenhouse to selecting the perfect varieties, and from harvesting to ensuring the best post-harvest care. Whether you're a florist, a cut flower farmer, or simply a lily enthusiast, this resource offers a comprehensive, yet friendly, insight into getting the most out of these stunning blooms.

With expert advice straight from Onings America, this guide will help you elevate your lily game and fully appreciate the splendor these flowers bring to every arrangement. We’re thrilled to share this with you before it appears anywhere else—so let’s get started!

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Thank you for being a part of our community. It was a joy to share Henk Onings' insights on lilies, and I encourage to check out the Step by Step to Growing Freesia. We’re grateful to Onings America for their generosity in providing the "Cultivation of Lilies" guide and for their valuable contributions to our podcast. I hope these resources inspire and assist you in your growing endeavors. Don’t forget to listen to both episodes with Henk on your favorite podcast platform or his guest page.

Your support makes it all possible, and I’m excited to continue this journey with you!

Learn more about Henk Onings

The Language of Flowers: A Fully Illustrated Compendium of Meaning, Literature, and Lore for the Modern Romantic by Odessa Begay

April 25, 2020 Scott Shepherd

Written by Odessa Begay for The Flower Podcast

Laura Dowling: Floral Diplomacy

October 7, 2019 Scott Shepherd

Laura Dowling shares her journey with flowers which lead her to become the Chief Floral Designer at the White House from 2009-2015. Laura and Scott chat about the many events and parties she created while the Obama's were in the White House.

Laura Dowling served as Chief Floral Designer at the White House for 6 years from 2009 until 2015. In this position, she planned and implemented decorations for major events at the White House, including the White House Christmas, state dinners, the presidential family quarters, the public tour route displays, and Camp David, an imposing portfolio of literally thousands of large and small events, floral arrangements, table settings and innovative volunteer projects.

Flowers: A Tool for Innovation and Change

Laura Dowling’s Ted Talk. Ted x Mid Atlantic

Inspired by President Obama’s message of hope and change, Laura created floral designs to reflect these sentiments and chats about using flowers as a strategic approach. Focus may be environmental, cultural traditions, symbolism, and much more.

University of Washington Magazine Article

Promise You a Rose Garden: Ex-White House Florist Tells All

New York Times

New York Times Article

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Laura Dowling’s garden style bouquets are exquisite gatherings of lush and vibrant seasonal blooms, poetic arrangements that evoke sentimental memories and inspire ethereal dreams. Highly original in concept and design, Laura’s bouquets weave layers of blooms, fruits and entwining vines with fabricated materials such as paper, ribbons and wool, blurring the lines of traditional floristry to fuse flowers with nature and handcrafts in new and unexpected presentations. At once fanciful and whimsical, refined and elegant, her colorful bouquets exude a friendly and approachable aesthetic that have inspired a First Lady, high-level dignitaries and legions of fans from around the world with their great charm and liveliness. She believes that flowers – the ephemeral but enduring mementos of special occasions and everyday life – convey a vast range of emotions and meanings that words alone cannot express, unlocking a powerful tool for uplifting spirits, telling stories and enriching our lives. In her new book “Bouquets,” due out later this year, Laura shares her secrets and insights for creating 75 innovative designs that focus on l’art du bouquet – the most personal and evocative form of floral artistry – including detailed step-by-step tips and techniques for crafting her unique, signature-style bouquets for all settings, seasons and occasions.

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“ I think we need more opportunities for thoughtful, collaborative problem-solving and creative expression vs. devolving into cliques and group think – a challenge in the social media era. The bottom line is that the appeal of flowers is timeless and enduring – and will continue to play an important role in our increasingly hectic and busy lives – creating new opportunities for everyone involved in the floral world.” Laura Dowling

New 2019 Holiday Wreath Stamp Collection will soon be available. Laura shared this wonderful news about her latest project years in the making. Antonio Alcalá served as the art director Laura Dowling designed the festive wreaths for the holiday stamps. Photographed by Kevin Allen.