Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Sweet Lilacs




All my life, I have been madly in love with lilacs.


Walking to elementary school in the spring, I'd bury my face in the bunches of gorgeous purple flowers that grew on big bushes.

Then, I'd drink in the heavenly rather intoxicating fragrance.


As a young mother with two small children at home, there was no money to spend on treasures but every spring, I could feel like a queen with a bouquet of lilacs on the dining room table.

As a matter of fact, I'd put bouquets in every room of the house.

My paternal grandparents were Lithuanian.  It surprised me to read that lilacs are native to European Baltic countries!  


No wonder I love them so much! Maybe my Grandma picked them in her native land when she was a young girl.


There are 21 species of lilacs, according to Friends of the Farm website (Friends of the Experimental Farm in Canada.  www,friendsofthefarm.ca)

The Friends volunteers take care of ornamental gardens, where lilacs are grown, as well as an arboretum.


Did you know the name lilac is from a Persian word that means bluish?  That's what the website divulged!


I've seen lilacs mostly in purple and white and, on rare occasions, in pink. All are beautiful.

DO LILACS GROW WHERE YOU LIVE?

10 comments:

Sandi said...

21 species! I had no idea.

agatek said...

In Poland, the lilacs grow at fields, roads, fences, and of course in the gardens. Lilacs are very popular here, often considered to be undervalued and shrubs-weeds. But lilac must grow in every country garden. Lilac is the symbol of the Polish countryside. We are looking for five petal flowers as symbol of futer happiness. Such flower I've found on your fourth picture, in the right and down area.
Yours :)

diane.stetson said...

No lilac bushes where I live...it's too hot of a climate for them. I do remember picking them and smelling them as a girl in New England. I love them...also loved lilies of the valley and violets ..the other wild flowers I'd pick as a girl. These are beautiful pictures Susan...You are lucky to have the lilacs!

Chatty Crone said...

I love that little history lesson - I didn't know 21 varieties and that it meant bluish.

When I opened your blog today I could smell them.

Yes we have lots and lots of them!

Kamyria said...

I love lilacs... They are blooming now in my neighbour's backyard. Sadly I have none on my property. Yet.

Merlesworld said...

Not seen much here maybe our weather not to good for them.
Merle..........

Anonymous said...

I simply love Liliacs and the aroma.

Beautiful. beautiful. I see them coming out when I was in the car today on peoples property.

Carolyn said...

I love lilacs too....still waiting for mine to bloom here.
Carolyn

marianne said...

Beautiful pictures of the lilacs; stunning in the cobalt blue vase.

We have 4 varieties of lilacs growing in our side yard including a French variety which is stunning and very fragrant. The blossoms almost look like ruffles. They are hard to describe. They are at their peak right now and the whole yard is being perfumed by their fragrance. I, too, love to bring big bouquets into the house. They bring such a feeling of luxury don't they?

Red Rose Alley said...

Aren't these lilacs beautiful, Susan. I can smell them from here. You know, I don't see them as much as I'd like to around here. Maybe I'll talk to husband about planting them in our garden. My garden is small, and I'm wondering, do they grow wild and full?

love, ~Sheri

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