Lilac's In New England

Growing up in NH I recall the strict laws on picking Lilacs and cutting them from branches.

New Hampshire historian Leon Anderson writes in To This Day that the purple lilac was first imported from England and planted at the Portsmouth home of Governor Benning Wentworth in 1750. It was adopted as our state's flower in 1919. That year bills and amendments were introduced promoting the apple blossom, purple aster, wood lily, Mayflower, goldenrod, wild pasture rose, evening primrose and buttercup as the state flower. A long and lively debate followed regarding the relative merits of each flower. The purple lilac was ultimately chosen, according to Anderson in New Hampshire's Flower -- Tree -- Bird because it "is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State."

Aside from Roses, there is no flower as beautiful and aromatic as Lilacs., Lilacs have a stronger scent that carries quite a distance. Unfortunately, Lilacs bloom for only a very brief couple weeks in the spring.

Lilacs were grown in America's first botanical gardens and were popular in New England. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew them in their gardens. Lilac bushes can live for hundreds of years, so a bush planted at that time may still be around. Lilacs originated from Europe and Asia, with the majority of natural varieties coming from Asia. In Europe, lilacs came from the Balkans, France and Turkey.

When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd, Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
WHEN lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd,
And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night,
I mourn'd, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.
Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring,
Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west,
And thought of him I love.

Read Poem in entirety Here.

Well, of coarse, I brought some of Mom's lilacs with me when I moved, but when we bought our new home there was also a large lilac next to the house and a row of them on the side. I was so happy and just like when I was a child I get so excited when they bloom. Here is my Lilac gallery in video below.

When I was a kid people would see my Mom's beautiful lilacs, along the entire side of the house and into the back yard where purple lilacs and across the back where white ones, and those people would ask her for clippings so they could grow them in their yard. Well it is not clippings that you share. The lilac is a bush that easily spreads, what you do is in the spring while the lilac is not in bloom look under it, you will always find new lilac shoots. You take a planter full of dirt and lots of water, have it ready to put the lilac in, pick one of the shoots farthest from the big bush, dig deep and wide. The more roots you get, the more successful the transplant, with less transplant shock. and then give to your neighbor.

Dig a hole in the new location. Make the hole about twice as big as the root system.
Mix plenty of compost into the hole.
Place plant around same depth it was in last location, fill with soil, pat down and water thoroughly and deeply.

What's the best area for lilac? Well, almost anywhere. Lilacs prefer elevated, well draining soil. They love the sun, but if in direct sun you will probably want to water them regularly during the summer. They also do well in half a day of shade, and my Mom's white lilacs where in full shade and still so beautiful.

First, always be sure the plant has not been treated with chemicals.

Lilacs can be made into an old fashioned confection called Crystals of Lilac, in which bunches are dipped in hot water and gum arabic, then dipped in a thick sugar syrup, and finally dusted with granulated sugar.

The flavor of lilacs varies from plant to plant. Very fragramt, slightly bitter. Has a distinct lemony taste with floral, pungent overtones. Many would describe the flavour to be much like that of lavender. Great in salads and crystallized with egg whites and sugar.

Some more uses, well, of course, in desserts, beverages and sweets. The taste of lilac also lends itself to many recipes and may be used in salads, cakes, cookies, scones and much more.

Aww, and like many flowers, Tea!!!! Tea which is a very lightly oxidized oolong with an intoxicating floral aroma that comes from the tea leaves gently scented with natural lilac.

A yogurt dip with a cup of vanilla yogurt, two teaspoons of honey and a little chopped lilac blossoms stirred in. Refrigerate for an hour and serve with cherries and strawberries blend some blossoms into some plain cream cheese and spread onto a pumpernickle or rye bread. Add a thin slice of cucumber to open faced sandwiches and serve with your tea.