When I married my husband almost 20 years ago (June 3rd anniversary) I also married into a very LARGE Italian family. Lots of cousins nearby. Lots of parties. One of my favorite perks of this family was Aunt Theo's lilac tree.
Every spring I watch for the tree to spring to life. Actually it is not one tree but about 5 old established trees. Aunt Theo believes the largest one to be about 95 years old.
These are amazing trees and produce and abundance of lilac blooms each spring (this photo is of two of them). I go over with my loppers and cut gigantic bouquets.
Each tree seems to bear a different shade of purple as well as one tree that has white blossoms. The smell is heavenly.
This was today's bounty.
One thing to remember about woody stems is to smash the end of the stem with a hammer. This allows the water to be drawn up easier. It is a good tip to remember.
I like to use a floral frog to insert the stems into. This vase has a built in frog. Sometimes I will ball up chicken wire to put into the vase, so the stems stay put better and look tidier.
Now I am ready to go scatter some arrangements around the house. I love the spring color and that lovely scent through out the house.
Lilacs....a true sign of spring. .
Lilac picking day is one of my favorite days of the year. From the looks of my 100 year old bush, it will be tomorrow.
Enjoy the fragrance.
Lynn
Posted by: Lynn | April 26, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Oh, I can almost smell it! One of my favorite scents in all the world. Lilac candles, lilac lotion, you name it. Can't wait for mine to start blooming. They look so pretty in your pottery vases. I think I have the same one on the left. Is it shaped like a tulip on the top?
Posted by: Carol | April 26, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Lilacs are on the very top of my list of favorite flowers. My yard is surrounded by them. The buds of the leaves are just now popping out. That is how late our spring is this year. Of course, you guys are always way ahead of us. The smell of lilacs is the best. I even make lilac water to sip. Yes, lilacs are edible! I can just smell your house right now. Oh, and I too married into a large Italian (Sicilian family) Fun!
Posted by: Mermaid Debbie | April 26, 2009 at 04:57 PM
I cannot wait for lilac season up here (central Canada)... it won't be until the first week of June.
Posted by: Saucy | April 27, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Oh I just love lilacs!! They are my mothers fav. She has everything lilac. I never heard about smashing the ends:) Have a wonderful day!!!
Posted by: Elma Riedstra | April 27, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Mmmmm- they make me so happy. Thanks for reminding me about smashing the stem with a hammer. I've sort of forgotten about that.
Posted by: Kim | April 27, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Oh Goodness these are my FAVORITE! Growing up back East we had the most beautiful tree in our yard. It is the most beautiful scent to me. Unfortunately here in CA they don't grow quite the same. I sure do miss those.
Posted by: Laura | May 09, 2009 at 01:18 PM