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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To really dislike bouquets that include lilies?

60 replies

Notopel · 07/08/2019 15:02

They stink, the pollen stains and they’re poisonous to animals.

But of course if someone sends you flowers, it’s impolite to say actually I can’t stand lilies.

AIBU to say never send anyone a bouquet with lilies unless you know they actually like the (vile) things?

My light grey sofa now has bright yellow pollen stains after the five year old ignored repeated warnings to not go near the horrible flowers 💐

OP posts:
Puffinhead · 07/08/2019 15:56

I’m with you OP. My DH and DC know not to buy them for me. I got some recently from a friend (as part of a bouquet) and the smell of them was awful. Didn’t think to cut out the stamens though.

Vesperia · 07/08/2019 15:59

my favourite flowers, I just trim the yellow stamens off when the flowers open.

formerbabe · 07/08/2019 16:01

I would never buy lilies for someone unless there had been a death.

Disfordarkchocolate · 07/08/2019 16:01

As soon as you get them snip the stamen off. I had then in my wedding bouquet and the florist said they always did this. I love the scent though

DontCallMeShitley · 07/08/2019 16:08

I loathe lilies, especially the white funeral ones. Snipping the stamens with stop the pollen rubbing off, if you can do it without it falling off anyway, but it won't stop them being poisonous. All parts of a lily are poisonous to pets.

The stink is revolting, and reminds me of dead creatures in the walls.

I would rather not have any cut flowers if it includes them and they go in the bin as soon as they start to wilt (lilies are removed immediately and sealed in a bag before binning).

Sewrainbow · 07/08/2019 16:11

You can cut the stamens off so the pollen doesn't drop. Use sellotape to get pollen off sofa.

moominmammy · 07/08/2019 16:12

I love lillies, but I also love my cat, so they're now banned. My DM somehow, after years of thinking I like roses (I don't), decided to remember I like lillies as soon as said cat arrived! I just give them away to non cat people

vampirethriller · 07/08/2019 16:16

I love them. I used to have some black and gold ones but something ate the bulbs. I think they're beautiful.

DodgeRainClouds · 07/08/2019 16:35

My ex bought them for me for my birthday after we broke up. I was heartbroken and my house stank of them. I cringe when I get bought them now and can’t wait for them to die. I do cut the middle bits out as the staining adds to my hatred

noworklifebalance · 07/08/2019 16:45

Cut the stamen off; leave stained things in the sunlight and they will disappear (the stain, not your things)

Ilovewillow · 07/08/2019 16:45

YANBU - they stink and I lost a very nice white t shirt the other day putting some in the bin! They stain horribly and they always remind me of funerals!

LakieLady · 07/08/2019 16:46

You can snip the stamens off to prevent staining.

I can't believe that has never occurred to me. I must be thick.

I love lilies but have stopped getting them because of the staining. [rushes off to buy lilies]

BendydickCuminsnatch · 07/08/2019 16:47

Aw I love lilies! Agree about the v strong smell though so if you don’t like that smell that’s a bit of a problem.

Definitely snip or pull the stamens off though Confused

MrsSpenserGregson · 07/08/2019 16:48

YANBU - yes, as others have said, they smell of urine. Vile, vile things. How can something that looks so beautiful smell so awful and be so poisonous?! Urgh.

LakieLady · 07/08/2019 16:49

just cut out the stamens and that gets rid of any staining risks and 99% of the smell.

Damn! I love the scent, which doesn't smell remotely like piss or vomit to me.

SignedUpJust4This · 07/08/2019 16:50

Lilies are funeral flowers to me

Chocolatedaim · 07/08/2019 16:53

I dislike lilies with a passion, they send my hayfever through the roof, they stain, have a wee smell, and seem so generic to me.
I really like the postbox flowers, they arrive flat with instructions on how to arrange them, they last so much better than any other flower delivery company, and they have lots of bouquets on offer that look wild and natural. Much more up my street!

AcrossthePond55 · 07/08/2019 16:59

I love the look of lilies, but the smell of them gives me a headache.

I didn't know that snipping the stamen got rid of the smell! I'll have to try that next time.

Too bad there isn't a place on Interflora or other large florist websites where someone can create a profile and list likes and dislikes. They could cross match a recipient and would know not to include the 'dislikes'. I live in a small town and our local florist seems to know the likes and dislikes of his frequent customers.

WoollyMummoth · 07/08/2019 17:07

Vile flowers- they smell of death

PeriComoToes · 07/08/2019 17:09

Tiger Lillies give me the worst headaches. Can't have them in the house.

noworklifebalance · 07/08/2019 18:59

ilovewillow - rescue your shirt and leave it in a sunny spot and the stain will disappear.

EmpressoftheMundane · 07/08/2019 19:00

Agree completely OP. They stink and make a mess. Cheap filler.

flashdancer19 · 07/08/2019 19:54

Love lilies and the Aldi luxury ones are amazing and cheap!

Bumbags · 07/08/2019 19:57

I can’t bear them.

Vulgarlady · 07/08/2019 19:58

Stocks smell like wee to me but lilies smell ok