Lilies add a little excitement to any bouquet with their exotic vibes and 'look at me' colour palette. The flower itself is also shrouded in mystery and myth, with ties to ancient Greek stories and the era of the Egyptians. Just one of the many reasons why we love them.

Whether you're planning on sending a lush bouquet for someone's birthday or just want to enjoy the glitz and glamour of these flowers in your home, learn more about this always beautiful bloom in our guide. We have all the facts, care tips and everything you need to know about this incredible flower.

8 FASCINATING LILY FACTS

Brush up on your trivia with our range of facts about lilies that you can save for a rainy day.

1. The names Susan, Susanna and Suzette all mean lily flower
While lily itself is a popular baby name, these three fairly normal names also have ties to the Persian word that means lily flower.

2. Avoid calla lilies if the recipient is superstitious
While we can't get enough of those incredible trumpet-like blooms, those who are superstitious – aka avoid black cats, throw spilt salt over their left shoulder and refuse to walk under ladders – won't allow them through their door as they're associated with death!

3. Some varieties aren't considered to be 'true' lilies
Lilies have an exclusive insider's club (aka they're part of the flower family Lilium) and some flowers didn't make the cut. Calla lilies, peace lilies, water lilies and Peruvian lilies are not real lilies at all! Oh, and don't forget lily of the valley that uses the name but is actually part of the asparagus family. But please don't eat it, unlike asparagus that just makes your pee smell funny, lily of the valley is toxic.

4. There's a lily that has been bred to grow to 8ft tall
While we'd never abandon our love for the fantastically tall sunflower, we're pretty impressed that these delicate blooms can reach such heights. This giant plant is known as the 'Tree Lily' and stands proud with several instantly recognisable flowers blooming along the top of its stem.

5. Lilies and cats don't mix
Lilies are highly poisonous to our furry friends, leading to kidney failure if not treated in time, so it's best to avoid featuring the flower in your home if you have a curious cat. If you think your cat has eaten any part of lily or cleaned the flower's pollen from their fur, take them to the vet straight away. If you're looking for flowers that are equally as beautiful but still friendly to your fur babies, have a look at some pet friendly flowers.

6. Lilies are a symbol of healing in China
They're typically given to people suffering from loss or heartache, so if your friend's latest romantic adventure hasn't worked out a bright bunch of lilies should cheer them up.

7. Lilies are the flower for a pearl 30th wedding anniversary
For couples celebrating 30 years of marriage – now that's an achievement! – lilies are considered to be the representative flower. So if you're on a budget and pearls are off the table then lilies are the perfect alternative.

8. Lilies grow better when in groups
Lilies are socialites and thrive when planted in groups of five to seven, should you ever want to feature them in your garden.

WHEN DO LILIES BLOOM?

Lilies are in their prime between July and August, when the flowers naturally bloom. Of course, you can get your hands on these many petaled beauties all year round, so you're not limited to the summer months.

LILIES MEANING

Lilies are believed to symbolise femininity and fertility. #girlpower But the main reason why this flower holds this meaning is due to the tale of the Greek gods, Hera and Zeus.
The story goes that Zeus wanted his son Hercules – you know the guy, muscly, flies a winged horse in the Disney movie – to be nursed by Hera but she wasn't a fan of the idea because he technically wasn't her baby.
So, Zeus got sneaky (as he always seemed to) and while Hera was sleeping put Hercules next to her to nurse. She woke and drops of her milk fell to the floor, from which the lily flower grew.
But as well as their overarching meaning, these magical flowers also symbolise a number of other things, depending on the colour you choose.

LILY COLOUR MEANINGS

Each lily colour is said to symbolise something completely new so whether you're a fan of bubblegum pink hues or prefer happiness inducing yellow shades, we've taken a closer look at what they mean below:

PINK LILIES
Offer a bunch of hot pink lilies when you want to let someone know you admire them, as these gorgeous blooms are believed to symbolise admiration and femininity. Pink lilies are perfect pick me up for female friends, either as a surprise or for an upcoming birthday.

WHITE LILIES
Popular at both weddings and funerals, white lilies are believed to represent rebirth and purity. For weddings, it's about celebrating a new chapter and for funerals celebrating a loved one moving onto the next place. However you choose to enjoy white lilies, they're always beautiful, always chic and always well received.

RED LILIES
Think of the colour red and what comes to mind? Romance? Love? Well, you're not far from the meaning of red lilies as these flowers are said to symbolise passion. Ideal if you're looking for an alternative to a classic bouquet of roses.

ORANGE LILIES
We love the zesty vibes of orange lilies and the colour of these flowers is considered to symbolise energy and confidence. Put some pep in someone's step with a bunch of these fiery blooms, great if they're building themselves up for a big interview or an exam.

YELLOW LILIES
You can't get more cheerful than the colour yellow and so this is why yellow lilies symbolise joy, gratitude and friendship. Butter them up with a bouquet of vibrant, sunshine inspired blooms or to say thank you.

Credit: flyingflowers.co.uk