Easter is on March 23 this year. It's not only a secular holiday, but it's the birth of Christianity. All of our faith begins begins here at this time of year. Your local florist is ready to help youwith this magnificent, blessed event.

The white trumpet-shaped flowers of the Easter lily (lilium Longiflorium) have become the traditional time-honored symbol of beauty, hope, and life during the Easter season.

This potted flowering plant is greenhouse grown, sold to consumers to display for Easter and then plant in the garden for the onset of warmer temperatures.

When you purchase a potted Easter lily, select a high-quality plant. Make sure it looks attractive from all sides. The green leaves should be dense and plentiful. Look for a lily with one or two open or partly opened flowers and three or more unopened buds.

Keep the potting medium moist. Avoid over watering. Remove the foil decoration or covering and water the plant until water seeps out of the container's draining holes. Repeat this several times. Allow it to drain for several minutes before putting it back in its decorative covering.

As the flowers open and mature, remove the yellow anthers before the pollen starts to shed. This will give the flower longer life and keep the blooms white. When a mature flower starts to fade, cut it off to keep the plant attractive.

Place the plant near a window that receives indirect, natural sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight, as lilies prefer a somewhat cooler temperature - ideally 60 to 65 degrees.

After the last flower has withered and been cut away, the Easter lily can be planted in the garden, after danger of frost has passed. Good drainage is a key to success with lilies in the garden. It's best if you adjust the soil pH to 6.5 or 7.0.

Put excitement into your beautiful Easter lily plants and have a great blessed Easter!

By Pat Gustaf, AAF, SDCF
Gustaf's Greenery, Inc.