Ezio de Angelis: The lily is the symbol of my city of Florence

This flower has a long and meaningful history for my city dating back to Roman times.

I live and work in a city of art, Florence, and I was born in another beautiful city of art, Rome. And sometimes there is the risk of a certain addiction to beauty... The same thing happens in my work: so used to the beauty of flowers that I forget the simplicity of things. For example, I have always lived and worked in a city whose symbol is a lily. Today, the lily from nursery Bredefleur is at the center of my designs. And with that, I am proud to be a BFF, a Bredefleur Friend.

The lily has always been one of the most representative symbols of Florence. This flower has a long and meaningful history for my city dating back to Roman times. Florence has been nicknamed "Lily City" because of the abundance of this flower that grew around the city.

The Florentine lily, also called white lily, is a lily variety that stands out for its beauty and symbolic significance. This flower has been associated with the city of Florence since the Middle Ages, when Florentines adopted it as the symbol of their city.

The same Florentine lily has been used in various contexts, including fashion, ceramics and political symbols. For example, the Florentine lily appears in the city's famous coat of arms, which depicts a white lily on a red background. This coat of arms was used to identify Florence around the world and can still be seen on monuments, streets and official documents.

Moreover, the Florentine lily was used as a symbol of the city's nobility and pride. Throughout the centuries, numerous Florentine artists, such as Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, depicted the lily in their paintings to underscore the connection between Florence and artistic beauty.

"The lily represents the beauty, nobility and pride of the city. And remains a fundamental element of Florentine culinary tradition. "

Today, the Florentine lily is still highly appreciated by Florentines and visitors to the city. You can admire this flower on clothes, flags and many other objects. Moreover, every year during the celebration of the feast of San Giovanni Battista, the patron saint of the city, a large lily crest is carried in procession through the streets of the city, as a gesture of pride and attachment to the city of Florence.

Indeed, the lily has always been an important symbol for the city of Florence. This flower represents the beauty, nobility and pride of the city and remains a fundamental element of Florentine culture and tradition.

I work in my store La Bottega dei Fiori. As a florist, I love to tell the most beautiful stories through unique and memorable floral arrangements. From an understated bridal bouquet to a luxurious transformation of a venue, flowers play an important role in setting the right mood.

If you live and work in Florence, it is not difficult to find a good background for your photo shoot. A good backdrop is never far away. That's why I decided to show my designs with Bredefleur's lilies not only inside, but also outside on my rooftop terrace.

My photographic proposal began when the idea of a design for Bredefleur came up and I immediately thought of the lily, that symbol of Florence. I was looking for a location that could offer a wide view of the city, a place from which one could see and admire the main symbols of the city: Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello National Museum, Orsanmichele, Giotto's Clock Tower, the Medici Chapels, Palazzo Pitti, etc....

So you can see how the lilies combine colorfully with other flowers in the arrangements, such as typical Italian flowers like Mimosa Floribunda and anemones, and with flowers like Helianthus, alstroemeria, roses and iris. And see how the lilies merge with the beautiful Lily City of Florence.

The lilies used in these designs are Lily Pokerface, Lily Genzano, Lily Carbonero and Lily Viva La Vida.

Special thanks to grower Bredefleur and wholesaler Anton Spaargaren.

I am an artisan florist who works with all flora, foliage and flowers to create large and small arrangements, large vases and delicate bowls, lavish bouquets and miniature boutonnieres, as well as wide arches and beautiful floral garlands.

In the more than twenty-five years that I have been working at La Bottega dei Fiori, I have taken many courses in floral design with excellent results, and my work has allowed me to travel the world and create amazing floral arrangements both alone and with other professionals. In fact, I believe very much in collaboration and in the power of experience because I think you can always learn new things and improve yourself.