In 1928, American artist Georgia O’Keeffe created a painting entitled Two Calla Lilies on Pink depicting the flowers from a large scale close up perspective. What aspect of the flower might have attracted such intense interest?

Perhaps one possible answer to that question lies in the dichotomy of what the calla lily represents. On one hand, the exquisite nature of the flower is said to represent holiness, faith and devotion, while on the other hand, it is said to possess an exotic, sensual and suggestive nature.

When used in floral design, the calla lily can express a myriad of sentiments. They can be called upon to express joy at the birth of a child or be used as an expression of sympathy upon the death of a loved one. Brides choose them often for weddings where they signify purity, honesty and marital bliss. Calla lilies formally mark a sixth wedding anniversary.

The graceful calla lily, a native of South Africa and a member of the Araceae family, is a perennial available year round from Stanford florists. The flower’s unique architectural form is made up of a fleshy spike surrounded by a trumpet shaped sheath which gives it the appearance of a sleek bloom made up of one seamless rolled petal. The word calla in Greek means beautiful. Aside from classic white, they come in a vast array of vibrant colors including yellow, orange, pink, lavender and dark maroon. They even come in blue and black hues.

The expressive elegance of the calla lily comes from its fresh, clean and crisp appearance. Long stemmed calla lilies can be placed in tall clear vases for sophisticated Art Deco appeal. They can be tied to chairs or pews lining the aisle or walkway and they can be draped over an arbor under which the ceremony takes place. For bridal bouquets, calla lilies pair well with roses, tulips and orchids and greenery such as ferns or palm fronds. A sleek bouquet of white calla lilies wrapped in ribbon is simply lovely.

A single calla lily makes a handsome boutonniere. For table centerpieces, single blossoms can be placed in bud vases surrounded by votive candles. One stunning display found online shows a centerpiece made from calla lilies frozen within a block of ice.

Whether you choose to highlight the innocent or the sensual aspect of the calla lily, they cannot fail to make a lasting impression.

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