Do you love lilacs as much as we do? Then you should know a few things… like how long these beautiful plants will live. (Hint: they will likely outlive you!) These gorgeous bushes are famed for their purple blooms, so much so even Greek mythology has a story for how they came to be! Read on to discover 10 weird facts about lilacs.
Lilacs Are Royalty
Lilacs are aptly named, “Queen of Shrubs.” It’s easy to see why, they are so regal and beautiful. Long live lilacs!
Life Expectancy
Speaking of long life, lilacs can live up to 100 years! That’s quite a commitment. Make sure you leave your lilac bush to someone worthy of her beauty!
Variety Is The Spice Of Life
Did you know there are over 1,000 different varieties of lilacs?! Crazy!
Tall Beauties
True lilac trees (instead of shrubs or bushes), like the Peking tree lilac and the Japanese tree lilac can grow up to 30 feet tall!
Tough Stuff
While they may seem delicate, lilacs are actually quite hardy. Some varieties have been known to survive winter temps of -60!
Brief Beauty
Most lilacs only bloom for about 3 weeks in the springtime. While their beauty is brief, it’s certainly unforgettable, and totally worth it!
The Biggest Fan
Founding father, Thomas Jefferson loved lilacs. He even wrote about them and sketched them in his gardening book.
Good For Food
Lilacs are edible and make for a surprisingly sweet treat in yogurt, frosting, tea and other snacks. Their sweet scent also makes them perfect for use in lotions, perfumes, and candles.
Love
In the language of flowers, red roses symbolize love and desire, while lilacs represent first love, and youthful innocence.
Most Fragrant
If you’re stopping to smell the flowers, try to get a whiff of a purple lilac on a sunny day; that’s when they’ll be most fragrant!
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