Lilac Envy
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Last week we visited my in-laws in NC, and found my mother-in-law’s beauty of a lilac specimen full of blossoms. One big happy lilac bush for sure. I want it. I want many. I have lilac envy.
If I lived close enough, her lilac would somehow mysteriously become bare of all fragrant blossoms in the night.
Mysteriously.
I’ve been pining for peonies and now I’m adding lilacs to the list. Lovely lilac lined plans are churning away. I’m looking into it. This is what I’ve found so far…
Lilacs like:
- well drained soil, with pH of 6.0-7.0
- full sun
- grows most favorable in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-7
For some reason I’ve always thought that lilacs were difficult to grow, but after some light reading it doesn’t seem so. It sounds like it takes a few years to get them established, but after that, they are hardy and flourish under the right conditions. So, now to find the spot, and prepare it for lilacs come fall. And maybe some peonies too.
I stumbled across this poem called “Stealing Lilacs” by Alice N. Persons. Thought you may enjoy it. I did.
Do you grow lilacs or another lovely flowering bush?
Hope you’re enjoying spring!
No, I’ve never grown lilac but I really should give it a try. I adore the fragrance. In fact, I have some cut lilac in a vase in my kitchen right now.
Gorgeous! Mine haven’t started to bloom yet; I was just out looking at them today.
I live too far south to grow lilacs. ): I had to settle for Crape Myrtle trees in various shades of pink, red and white. I’ve also got a big Bottlebrush Tree, and a couple of Magnolia Trees. And they are all still growing despite my uncanny ability to kill even the sturdiest plant! Love your photos though – the colors are so sharp.
I know what you mean 🙁 Most gardeners here say to not even try. Too hot and humid.
We have a lilac bush given to us by Nick’s grandma. If I can grow a lilac, you most certainly can! Very low maintenance.
Beautiful pictures, Amy!
I LOVE lilacs! I grew up in east Tennessee. My dad had planted 3 lilac bushes next to our house. In the spring and summer the smell of the lilacs were amazing! I also loved how beautiful they were. I moved to Colorado 15 years ago and one of the things I miss the most are the lilacs at my parent’s home. I have moved a few times while living in Colorado, each time planting lilacs in my yard. I currantly only have one lilac bush but this spring I plan to line my fence roll with them. I need 17 of them!I can’t wait to plant them and watch them grow. It is a little piece of home that I can have in Colorado.
Beautifully shot. These are one of my fav flowers. I love how fragrant they are.
I live in NC and grow lilacs… I love them.. they line my driveway. It did take a few years to get them established. I cannot seem to get them to last very long when cut however.. must look into that. I love having vases around the house and the fragrant smell.
I also love and grow peonies. Another plant it takes time to establish.
But currently beginning to bloom is my favorite love of all… lilies of the valley. Spring…mmmm.
lilacs always take me back to my grandmas and to my little house on Ankeny Street . . . such a part of my childhood!!
Gorgeous…I can almost smell them. I love the photography! I’m visiting from tidy mom.
This is too funny! We JUST moved lilac bushes from my Mother’s house to mine. I can’t wait for them to spread and spread. I’d devote my entire yard to them if I could. That and hydrangeas.
coming back to say thanks so much for linking up Amy! I featured your post in my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2011/spring-ideas/ Have a GREAT weekend!
I have been the lilac thief in the poem only they were growing on the grounds of the State Capitol Building and I drove in late at night to do some *helpful* pruning! I am so desperate for my own lilacs that I am attempting to grow two Bloomerangs and a President Lincoln in zone 8. We’ll see how they grow… Thanks for sharing such lovely photos. Made my day!
They are very beautiful. I have one at our country home….these were also my paternal grandmother’s favorite flower. We planted a lilac bush in memory of her!
Fantastic pictures. Thanks for sharing. (I live in the Wake Forest area, right outsite of Raleigh where did you visit?)
Hey!
I know where that is. My in-laws live in Chatham County in a small farming community. It’s a lovely place.
~ Amy
I love lilacs! I had them long ago when i lived with my parents. ahhh….
GORGEOUS!!
I LOVE lilacs and all flowering bushes. My yard would be full of flowering shrubs, bushes and trees if I had a yard! Growing up I had a lilac bush outside my window. At night in the summer, I would have my window open and the breeze would bring the wonderful lilac scent into my room and I’d fall asleep smelling it, and wake up smelling it! You should plant some!
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What stunning photos! Looking forward to reading that poem.