Cavan Reflections

By: Anne Corke

Jun 06 2011

Tags: lilac

Category: Gardening

1 Comment

Is there anything more evocative of spring than the scent of lilacs? I don’t imagine there is anyone in North America who doesn’t recognize that heady fragrance. They’ve been a part of the landscape for centuries. In rural areas, a grove of lilacs is often the only hint of the past existence of a long since abandoned homestead. Although the farmhouse may have fallen victim to the ravages of time and weather, the lilacs thrive and spread as nature reclaims the land for her own purposes.

Many gardeners still include lilacs in their shrub borders. The newer hybrids sport different colours and double flowers but the defining feature of any lilac is still the sweet scent. I have a number of them in my yard, some common, some not so common. My particular favourite is “Wedgewood Blue” whose pink buds open to pale blue flowers with the most divine smell! How can one resist thrusting one’s nose into the cool, silky racemes to breathe deeply the very essence of spring. Heavenly!

Copyright 2011 Anne Corke