Each year, lilacs bloom, signaling that summer is on its way. Though they are fragrant, New Hampshire residents only get to enjoy them for a few weeks. Historically a symbol of love, these vibrant flowers bloom prolifically along highways and country roads, and sway in the breeze in gardens.
It’s no surprise that the beautiful lilac is our state flower, but it wasn’t the only option, plus the process was extremely time-consuming and generated quite a bit of controversy.
According to the University of New Hampshire’s “The Way We Were: A Collection of UNH Anecdotes,” “Dr. Ormond R. Butler served as chairman of the Botany Department from 1912 until his death in 1940. In 1919, his expertise was called upon to settle a debate then raging in the New Hampshire Legislature: which flower best deserved the title of state flower. Representative Charles B. Drake first introduced a bill on January 9, 1919, to designate the lilac as New Hampshire’s state flower. Other legislators subsequently introduced bills and amendments recommending the apple blossom, purple aster, wood lily, mayflower, goldenrod, wild pasture rose, evening jasmine, and buttercup as state flowers. A long and spirited debate ensued about the relative merits of each flower. The apple blossom was popular with many, but this was during Prohibition and some viewed the apple blossom as a symbol of hard cider. Some people objected to the buttercup because yellow is often seen as timid.”
After a lengthy discussion, the legislators agreed to accept the decision of the leading botanists of the state, Professor Arthur Chivers of Dartmouth College, and Professor Butler of the University of New Hampshire, at Durham.
“Unfortunately, the two could not agree on the same flower. Chivers supported the lilac and Butler supported the evening primrose. A vote was taken between the lilac and the evening primrose, and the lilac won, and it was adopted as the state flower on March 28, 1919.” According to The Way We Were: A Collection of UNH Anecdotes.
Nancy Deol, a Master Gardener volunteer with UNH Cooperative Extension, said lilacs have many wonderful qualities.
“Lilacs adapt to a variety of soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 8.0 and are cold hardy down to USDA Zone 2. They can be used as windbreak shrubs on farms and are great for landscaping highways. The flowers are very fragrant and songbirds love to nest in them. There are hundreds of different cultivars of lilacs, so everyone can find one they like. Another use for lilacs is to make flower essences for health, something that people who enjoy growing wild plants have been doing for years.” Deol said.
“If you have the space and especially if you love fragrant landscape plants and songbirds, I highly recommend planting a lilac or several. If you have a windy yard, plant some lilacs to help cushion wind gusts. They also make lovely privacy hedges or fences, although if you buy young seedlings they will take a while to get that far. They stay green all season long after the flowers have fallen, which is another reason to love lilacs.” Deol pointed out.
Bob Smith of Morin’s Landscaping in Hollis said he has been using different lilac varieties in his landscaping work since 1978.
“We typically plant lilacs in groupings for visual impact, but lilacs can also be used as centerpieces in the landscape or garden. Lilacs have a wonderful scent and are very cold hardy, making them perfect for New Hampshire landscapes.” Smith said.
“There are over a thousand varieties of lilacs, with flower colors ranging from single to double, and many hybrids that produce a rainbow of colors and scents including purple, deep red, magenta, blue, pink, white, mauve and creamy yellow. If you live in New England, you’ve probably experienced the sweet scent of lilacs in May. For the scent alone, lilacs should be planted in every landscape.” Smith added.
Smith said there are some lilacs that make the perfect space or focal point.
“Common lilacs can grow large, reaching 15 feet or more. Smaller varieties of lilac offer options for landscapes with limited space.” Smith said.
“Dwarf Korean lilac (Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’) grows to about 4 to 5 feet tall and wide at maturity and produces fragrant flowers. It can also be planted as a hedge. Miss Kim lilac (Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’), commonly called Manchurian lilac, grows to about 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. This variety blooms a little later than other lilacs and has the added benefit of beautiful burgundy foliage in the fall. Other lilac cultivars have a variety of flower colors, bloom earlier or later, and vary in size at maturity. Lilacs flower on buds formed on the “old” woody growth of the previous season. If pruning is necessary, it should be done immediately after flowering in the spring.”
Smith explained that reblooming varieties include: “Bluemerang” It flowers in spring and then again later in the season with a second but fewer blooms. Bluemerang lilac will reflower from new shoots, so it will benefit from light pruning and fertilization after the first bloom.
There are also lilac trees in the garden.
“We also plant tree lilacs (Syringa reticulata).” Smith said. “These small trees reach heights of 20 to 30 feet, have dark green foliage and produce spectacular clusters of creamy white flowers in early summer. Cherry brown bark dotted with white lenticels adds extra charm to the landscape.”
Lilacs are hardy but grow best in a sunny location and flower abundantly.
“Lilacs prefer neutral or slightly sweet, well-drained soil.” Smith said. “New Hampshire soils are generally acidic, so lime may be necessary to adjust the soil pH. If you’re concerned about your soil, you can get a soil test. Lilacs generally don’t need a lot of fertilizer; you can give them a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content in early spring to encourage flowering.”
Smith recommends avoiding fertilizers that are high in nitrogen, because if your lilac gets too much nitrogen, the plant will produce lots of green leaves but not many flowers.
“Planting lilacs in a well-ventilated location will reduce the chance of powdery mildew developing in susceptible varieties, even in humid weather.” Smith said.
Residents looking to plant lilacs in their yards can find several varieties at Bedford Fields Nursery and Greenhouse in Bedford.
Owner Bill Zeory prides himself on his vast plant selection, garden design, planting and delivery services.
“With their spring-scented purple, blue, white and pink flowers, lilacs have always been popular garden plants. Common lilacs are best grown neat in open spaces as specimens or borders. Today, there are many smaller lilac cultivars that are easier to incorporate into the landscape.” Zeory said.
For anyone who loves gardening and flowers, lilacs make a timeless gift for new homeowners or Mother’s Day. Hint, hint.
For more information about Morin’s Landscaping Inc., visit morinslandscaping.com. For gardening education information, visit extension.unh.edu.
Susanna Hargreaves is a mother of three beautiful children, an educator, and an author from New Hampshire. For more information, visit letmetellyourstory.com.
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