It is finally time for the blooming of lilacs. This is the time of year, where even though we may have a thick heavy frost on the ground, you know that summer is right around the corner. I think most people adore lilacs just because it is a sign that spring is truly here. Or one might adore the powerful scent. Which may take them back to a fond childhood memory. When I see or smell lilacs I think of my childhood home where I lived for 10 years in Battle Creek, Michigan. We lived in suburbia & on a corner in a traditional 2 story home that was kept immacualte inside & out by my parents. As one of four kids, we had to help around the house & in the yard, but my parents were the ones that kept it neat & tidy. (ummm, except for the garage! that was "organized chaos")
In the backyard in a little corner where the garden hose was situated, there was a lovely lilac bush. It was not the prettiest of corners, except when the lilac bush was in bloom. Then it was my very favorite corner of the world.
Many years later & one state away, my lilac bush blooms a little earlier than the one in my childhood town. Except I have a baby lilac bush & cannot cut the blooms, as I fear that it will stunt its growth. It was a Mother's Day gift from hubby & the kids a few years ago. Fortunately for me, my mother-in-law is kind enough to let me cut whatever I like from her collection of lilac bushes.
A new reader of mine (go check out her blog, Revamped French Maison) has asked the simple question , "How do you keep your blooms fresh looking? I've never had much luck with that. They just wilt and shrivel up in a day. It's quite strange to me."
Well that got me thinking. How do you keep them from shriveling up, once they are cut? This is why I love to blog. I have a reason to think & research on fun subjects like lilacs. I have no idea what keeps them fresh! I just cut them & place them in water & hope that they will survive for a few days. Then the rhododendrons & peonies will be getting ready to bloom. And summer will be here.
But I cannot leave my new friend hanging, so I did a little research & found this excellent article on keeping lilacs fresh. I did most of it correctly (I didn't have a floral preservative). Also, you may want to arrange them outside & bring them in after the spiders & bees have left the blooms. I love learning new things & hope you find this link helpful.
Enjoy the pictures of the lovely blooming lilacs.
What flower takes you down memory lane?
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I love those flowers...If I had to a pick a flower to take me down memory lane, it would be roses, as my dear Grandmother had many rose bushes that she adored to grow, and I wish I could do the same:)
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful! Our are not in bloom quite yet - they are right outside of the office. So when they are in bloom, we leave the window open right above the lilacs and the aroma just floats all throughout the house. Thanks for giving me something else to look forward to in the next week :)
ReplyDeleteI love the lilacs and the glass bottle that you have them in. Tulips take me back because my mom planted them just for me.
ReplyDeleteI too have those memories of our lilac bush! I also remember the large bushes on Riverside Dr. (I think the Courts lived there)that lined the sidewalk we traveled to and from school. (Yes, we actually walked to and from school, if we weren't riding our bikes!) I would always take a few moments to snatch some blossoms off those bushes to enjoy the rest of my walk.
ReplyDeletehey a couple of things to do don't let the leaves on the stems touch the water it creates bacteria...i always shred the leaves off with my hands...
ReplyDeletei love lilacs i'm jealous it's too hot here for those..so there you got me on that...suzanne
This was such a fun read. Short, sweet and with lots about you. I wish we could grow lilacs here in TX.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Ohio and am now "one state away too" in PA. I love the smell of lilacs...it reminds me of my grandma who had a beautiful bush by her back porch. Your pics are beautiful..I can almost smell them!
ReplyDeleteThe lilacs wilted because I picked them in the afternoon. There is a new hybrid continuous bloom lilac bush out this year. I tried to look the actual name up but had no luck. I'll be shopping at a few nurseries over the next couple of weeks and found out the name for you then.
ReplyDeleteOnce Spring comes we have lilacs all around the perimeter of the house. So this article will come in handy. I find the scent so pungeant, it fills the whole house. So only one jarful at a time.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Dana
Just wanted to say thanks a bunch for the comments. That comment from Lisa is my sis & first time she has commented on Google (she sometimes comments on FB). Also, I would say the floral preservative is probably the key as my lilacs are pretty limp after only two days!! They are PUNGENT & my little guy said, "Whoa, Mom that is strong smelling! I may go pick more or I may just wait till next year. But I am def. going to Beth's house to visit for a round of lilac sniffing! Southern friends you will have to pause & enjoy the bougainvillea for me!! xoxoxo Cathy
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy, thanks for stopping by my blog. I grew up in IL and my dad taught at olivet university. I also love lilacs, I have 3 lilac bushes in my yard and I am still waiting for them to bloom, I can't wait to have the smell of lilacs flowing through my house.
ReplyDeleteSherrie
beautiful....thanks for stopping by my blog and always leaving kind comments....
ReplyDeleteloving your blog...
Hi Cathy, these lilacs are gorgeous! Growing up my Nanna had a beautiful lilac bush, these pics have bought back some wonderful memories:) Thanks for stopping by and for that great information about the Old Mission in Michigan!! Wishing you a wonderful weekend ~ Tina xx
ReplyDeleteGreat story and info! I LOVE lilacs and the smell totally takes me back to simpler days as a kid in a farm town. My problem with bringing them indoors is these tiny little black bugs that come with them. Any tips on that one?? Nice pics too, btw!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is the flower keeper in our family and I must say that it makes me happy. He'll see a bunch of roses blooming on our bushes and bring the beauty into our home. He's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through my friend at sosobella. Enjoy your weekend!
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ReplyDeleteFunny! My husband always talks about his Lilac memories! I am visiting from New Friend Friday. Love your photos! It is almost warm enough for Lilac blooms here in Idaho...
ReplyDeleteLilacs remind me of my grandma's house. She had a giant hedge of them. She'd literally bring armfuls into the house. They're one of my favorite flowers!
ReplyDeleteGlad I stopped by from New Friend Friday!
Hello from New friend Friday at the girl creative.. My mom has lilacs outside her back door and my kids have already been pulling the lilacs off and putting them in water for the center of the table. It really lets you know that spring is here.
ReplyDeleteErin
thenormanfive.blogspot.com
Hi Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI just dropped by via new friend friday at the girl creative. I love your post about your lovely lilacs. Isn't it amazing how a smell can transport you to another time in your life, how wonderful that your lilacs can take you back to your chldhood, enjoy them and how they make you feel. It's lovely to meet you.
Donna xx
I can almost smell them through the screen!
ReplyDeleteBougainvillea remind me of my childhood. I think I took for granted how easy they were to plant and how often I saw them. They don't grow well where I live now. Oh well, now I have tulips.
Hi Cathy, thanks so much for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteI love lilacs, it was one of the first plants I planted when we moved into our house last year. Gorgeous!!
Good morning Cathy! I love lilacs too...and tulips and peonies. Each remind me of my grandmas. My tulips are almost done, but the peonies will be opening soon! LOVE how they smell, and their ruffly edges.
ReplyDelete