41 Lilac Facts For Kids To Know About The Flowering Woody Plant

Lilac is known as the 'queen of shrubs'.

Native to south-eastern Europe and eastern Asia, lilac is now also widely cultivated in temperate areas of different parts of the world. Lilacs are known as ornamental flowers, which can also serve several other purposes.

The word lilac is not just the name of the flowering plant, but also refers to the light-purple color of the flower. 

Lilacs have been noted to have great significance in Greek mythology. 

They are often associated with the Easter holidays as the booming period of lilacs falls during the same time of year. 

There is a belief in Russia that states that, when a sprig of lilac is held over a newborn baby, it brings wisdom.

Another symbolism attached to lilacs is that it is the flower to celebrate the eighth wedding anniversary. 

Lilacs also symbolize old love, and many widows used to wear lilac during the Victorian period. 

Lilac is also New Hampshire's official state flower and was chosen because, in addition to its strong fragrance, the flower is also quite hardy. 

Rochester in New York is the lilac capital of the world and is also the place where the Lilac Festival occurs every year. 

Lilacs have also been an inspiration for many great minds.

Interested in lilacs so far? Then read on to find out some more fascinating facts about lilac.

Facts About Lilacs

Lilacs are popular flowers commonly seen in flower vases indoors and as part of bouquets. Find out some amazing facts about these fragrant blossoms below.

• The flowering plant of lilac is part of the olive family called Oleaceae.
• There are around 26 species of lilac that exist in this world.
• Lilacs were introduced in North America by European colonists in the 1750s.
• A lilac bush or shrub is also known as a lilac tree due to the sizes of some lilac species, which reach as tall as some trees.
• Some of the common varieties of lilac include common lilac shrub (Syringa vulgaris), Persian lilac (S. persica), little leaf lilac (S. microphylla), and Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata).
• Japanese tree lilac and Peking tree lilac are lilac species that grow as tall as trees, which gives them these particular names.
• While the typical color of the lilac is purple, a lilac flower can also come in colors such as white, pale yellow, light blue, and pink. A dark burgundy-colored lilac flower is also a possibility.
• Purple lilacs can also further come in shades of dark and light purple.
• Different meanings are associated with the different colors of lilac.
• Symbols of purity and innocence are attached to white lilacs. In comparison, purple lilacs are associated with spirituality.
• The species and cultivars of lilacs affect the fragrance of blossoms but not their color.
• Lilac blooms for a very short period of time, about three weeks, during late spring and early summer.
• Lilac plants were grown in the first botanical gardens of America.
• American president Thomas Jefferson grew lilacs in his garden, as did George Washington.
• One of the largest collections of lilacs in the world can be found in The Royal Botanical Gardens, situated in Burlington, Ontario.
• Lilac scent is considered to be as strong as that of roses.
• Blooms of lilac have a sweet scent that makes them a great addition to flowering gardens.
• Lilac blossoms can have single as well as double flowers.
• There are different meanings associated with lilac in different cultures.
• Lilac is are also supposed to possess magical properties, including the power to ward off evil.
• The heart-shaped leaves of lilacs have an opposite arrangement.
• The fruit of the lilac plant is a dry and brown capsule that breaks into two parts when it matures to reveal two winged seeds inside.

Lilac's Uses

Have you found these lilac facts fascinating? Read on to discover more about the lilac plant and its varied parts. Some interesting uses of lilacs are listed as follows.

• The strong scent of lilacs is what makes them useful in the production of perfumes, soaps, and candles.
• Lilac flowers are used to make aromatic oils utilized for scenting rooms and inducing relaxing emotions.
• Certain Lepidoptera species, or butterflies, including Svensson's copper underwing, scalloped oak, and copper underwing in their larvae form, treat the lilac shrubs as a food source.
• The wood from lilac trees is popular in the creation of pens, knife handles, and musical instruments.
• Lilac flowers are ornamental flowers used for decorative purposes.
• Lilac flowers can be pressed to create gift tags, card covers, or used for decorating journal covers.
• Lilacs can also be used as wedding-cake toppers.
• As these flowers are edible, they are utilized in various ways in the culinary field.
• When crystallized, these can be used as candied flowers on pies, cakes, and cookies.
• These flowers can also be added to fresh green salads and brown-rice dishes.
• Delicious lilac sorbet can be made by mixing lilac flowers along with water and sugar.
• Lilacs are also utilized as medicines for reducing fever and treating malaria.

Lilac's Ideal Growing Conditions

If you have enjoyed finding out about lilac plants so far, read on to discover the certain specific conditions needed to grow lilac properly. The climate and conditions required for the proper growth of lilac bushes are mentioned below.

• Lilac bushes require a high amount of direct sunlight, at least six hours a day.
• The soil used for planting the lilac shrub must be well-drained and slightly alkaline.
• If the soil is too wet, it can affect the growth of the lilac shrub.
• Lilac roots must be covered properly with topsoil.
• Too much shade can hinder the bloom of lilac shrubs.
• While lilac bushes require plenty of direct sunlight, they cannot handle extremely humid and hot climates.
• Lilac bushes with dark-purple-colored flowers must receive some shade to retain the dark color of the flower.

Caring For Your Lilac Plant

You now know lilacs ideal growing conditions but do you know how to care for them? Well, lilac plants do not require much care and maintenance, beyond pruning. Read on to find out the best ways to care for this easy-to-look-after plant.

• Lilac bushes must be planted on the south-facing side of the garden so they receive the maximum amount of sunlight.
• The hardy shrubs of lilac can also grow in clay soil.
• The soil in which the lilac bush is planted must be enriched with organic compounds and mulch.
• Lilac plants that are well established do not require much watering during the summer season.
• Between June and July, lilac plants must be watered once a week.
• The number and size of fragrant blossoms of lilac shrubs can be maximized with the addition of the right amount of fertilizer to the soil and by pruning the shrubs at the right time.
• The ideal pruning time for lilac shrubs is right after the blooming period has finished. This encourages the growth of new shoots.
• Late pruning of lilacs can cause growing blooms to wither.
• Pruning of the lilac bush is done to maintain its size.