Yes. In fact, all types of lilac plants are edible, and are often used fresh, dried, or infused in baking and cooking to impart a subtle floral flavor. If you plan to eat lilacs grown in your yard, you should stay away from spraying them with pesticides or using any type of chemicals on them. Always wash flowers well before eating.
6 Lilac Facts That Will Impress Your Gardening Friends
There’s more to this shrub than just pretty flowers. Lilacs have carried symbolic meaning in many cultures for centuries.
Jenny Krane graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Magazine Journalism and English in 2017, and has worked professionally in the magazine field for 5 years.
Updated on June 28, 2023
Reviewed by
Sylvia Duax has over 15 years of experience as a professional Horticulturist with expertise in: sustainable garden maintenance techniques; Southeastern U.S., especially in the mid-Atlantic regional gardening; native plants; wildlife gardening; small space, urban and container gardening and community engagement.
Known as the “Queen of Shrubs,” lilacs are some of the hardiest and most fragrant flowering bushes we use in our gardens. You might recognize them as a flower from your grandma’s garden, and that nostalgia factor is likely one of the reasons they’ve been gaining popularity in recent years. Their stalked flowers are commonly available in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white, plus they add both softness and height to any garden. And most varieties of lilacs grow up to 10 feet tall.
The lilac’s scent is what makes lilac a stand-out plant in the garden—its scent is stronger in full sun and is commonly used in perfumes and soaps. If you have lilacs in your yard, you know how precious it is to see them bloom. Lilacs’ blooming period is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it three weeks each spring, making them a rarity (and only enhancing their beauty). Some varieties, however, can rebloom. The Bloomerang lilac, for instance, is one of the few types of reblooming lilacs.
Check out the following roundup of our favorite surprising facts we unearthed about this amazing shrub.
Lilacs Are in the Same Family as the Olive Tree
These shrubs belong to the Oleaceae family, which includes over 20 different plant species, including olives, ash, and jasmine. Within their species, there are more than 1,000 varieties of lilacs, including some trees. Lilac trees like the Peking and Japanese tree lilac can reach heights of more than 30 feet tall.
For the ancient Greeks, lilacs were an integral part of the story of Pan, the god of forests and fields. It was said that Pan was in love with a nymph named Syringa. As he was chasing her through the forest one day, she turned herself into a lilac shrub to disguise herself because she was afraid of him. Pan found the shrub and used part of it to create the first panpipe. Syringa’s name comes from the Greek word for pipe, “syrinks”—and that’s where the lilac’s scientific name, Syringa, came from.
Lilacs Had Different Meanings in Different Cultures
Lilacs have come to symbolize spring and renewal because they are early bloomers. These bushes have also held different meanings in different cultures throughout the centuries. The Celtics saw lilacs as magical because of their sweet scent. During the Victorian age, lilacs were a symbol of an old love—widows often wore lilacs during this time. In Russia, holding a sprig of lilac over a newborn baby was thought to bring wisdom.
Although the species stands for renewal and confidence overall, each color of lilac has its own specific meaning. White lilacs represent purity and innocence, while purple lilacs symbolize spirituality. If the blooms edge more on the blue side of the color wheel, they symbolize happiness and tranquility. Magenta lilacs symbolize love and passion. The yellow variety of lilacs, ‘Primrose’, is not a common sight in American gardens, and was only introduced in 1949, so it’s not known to carry any symbolic meaning.
How to use shades of purple and lilac in your look?
Very Peri is the color of 2022 according to Pantone – reminiscent of a shade of purple/lilac with a slight bluish background. On and off the runways, we’ve already noticed that the color is booming and that’s why today we’re going to share some looks for you to get inspired and rock your choice of pieces with this tone.
If you’re not used to wearing this color in your look, bet on lighter and more subtle washes, such as shades of lilac and lavender. To contrast the composition, you can combine lilac with darker and heavier pieces and fabrics, such as black and fabrics like leather and velvet.
How about matching your summer tan with the trendy color of 2022? Go for a powerful beach cover-up, or even a delicate bikini in this color.
Now, if you love to dare in your ensembles, purple with purple is a match for sure! You can combine different shades of this color, or even invest in a total monochrome look. Know that yellow and orange are complementary to purple, making the look even more modern and fashionable.
On the other hand, pink and blue make the production more balanced and go very well with purple.
Another tip for those who are starting to wear purple now, is to bet on accessories such as shoes and bags, which will also rock with this color! Versatile, you can combine purple in different looks, ensuring a modern and timeless look.
Curiosity : Pantone describes Very Peri as a color that represents the current moment of transition and transformation that we are living. After a long period of social isolation, we are changing our patterns and consuming more and more the digital universe. Therefore, this color illustrates the fusion of modern life with a futuristic touch. Interesting, isn’t it?
