Lilac flowers

Lilac flowers

Belonging to the Oleaceae family, lilac flowers are native to Europe, North Asia, Persia and the Far East. Among the spring flowering shrubs, these flowers are the most popular due to their abundant blooms and the pleasant and delicate scent they emanate from a distance. Small trees made up of multiple trunks can reach a height and width of 4 meters. The star-shaped flowers of this plant are grouped in single or double clusters that resemble the shape of the pyramids. Their color varies from white to dark red, including all shades ranging from pink to blue and purple. There are various species in nature, there are more than thirty, but we mention only some of the most widespread, or Syringa Villosa (it comes from China and its white-purple flowers are very fragrant), the reticulated Syringa (it comes from Northern Japan and its white and fragrant flowers grow in the shape of a panicle), the Syringa Persica (also called Persian lilac , has beautiful purple – pink flowers), Syringa Tinkerbell (it is a dwarf variety that has pink flowers, in Italy it is called Peter pan) and Syringa Reflexa (the main feature is the unpleasant smell of its flowers). The most common species is Syringa Vulgaris, it can be large or an erect but small tree. Its very fragrant flowers are either pure white or purple and lilac. the reticulated Syringa (it comes from Northern Japan and its white and fragrant flowers grow in the shape of a panicle), the Syringa Persica (also called Persian lilac, has beautiful purple – pink flowers), the Syringa Tinkerbell (it is a dwarf variety that presents of pink flowers, in Italy it is called Peter pan) and Syringa Reflexa (the main characteristic is the unpleasant smell of its flowers). The most common species is Syringa Vulgaris, it can be large or an erect but small tree. Its very fragrant flowers are either pure white or purple and lilac. the reticulated Syringa (it comes from Northern Japan and its white and fragrant flowers grow in the shape of a panicle), the Syringa Persica (also called Persian lilac, has beautiful purple – pink flowers), the Syringa Tinkerbell (it is a dwarf variety that presents of pink flowers, in Italy it is called Peter pan) and Syringa Reflexa (the main characteristic is the unpleasant smell of its flowers). The most common species is Syringa Vulgaris, it can be large or an erect but small tree. Its very fragrant flowers are either pure white or purple and lilac. in Italy it is called Peter pan) and Syringa Reflexa (the main characteristic is the unpleasant smell of its flowers). The most common species is Syringa Vulgaris, it can be large or an erect but small tree. Its very fragrant flowers are either pure white or purple and lilac. in Italy it is called Peter pan) and Syringa Reflexa (the main characteristic is the unpleasant smell of its flowers). The most common species is Syringa Vulgaris, it can be large or an erect but small tree. Its very fragrant flowers are either pure white or purple and lilac.

Cultivation

Lilac flowers prefer to grow in sunny areas and in medium-textured soils that retain moisture. They do not fear winter cold or summer heat, they like a summer – humid climate. As for watering, in winter they are satisfied with the rains but, in the summer, they need at least 15 liters of water every 10 – 15 days. If these plants are grown in pots, they must be watered when the soil is dry and they must be repotted every 2 – 3 years to allow them to grow in the best way. Lilac flowers need pruning in the post-flowering period and during the winter period, weak branches and damaged leaves must be removed to strengthen the plant in order to obtain excellent results in the following year’s flowering. To help the plant in its development and to avoid its weakening, it is advisable to use manure during the autumn, adding it to the surface of the soil and mixing it so that it can be distributed throughout the area; or we could use some fertilizer in the spring period.

Properties and utility

Lilac flowers contain some important properties that allow their use in various fields. Essential oils are prepared for joint and rheumatic pains and, according to the «legend of the fairies», the oil of lilac flowers was characterized by therapeutic properties to cure psychic problems. The essences that are obtained from these flowers are also used to create women’s perfumes. The characteristics of this plant are also known in the herbarium for their febrifugal effect, in the bark they contain syringosie glucoside, with which the infusions are prepared. The leaves, with a bitter taste, are used to prepare antirheumatic and anti-inflammatory infusions, to relieve stomach pain, liver pain and are useful for digestion. In addition, with lilac flowers they also prepare oils used for massages,

Meaning

In the language of flowers, the meaning of these flowers varies according to the species and their color. The white lilacs stand for purity, innocence and virginity; the yellow lilacs express being in the clouds; Tiger lilacs indicate pride; the Lilacs of the Valley express tenderness and humility; Purple Lilacs indicate falling in love and heartbeats of love. In some areas of the world, for example, purple lilac flowers indicate the breakup of an engagement when given to a person. In general, the meaning of the lilac flower can vary a lot, and this makes it clear that, except in rare cases, these characteristics of the flowers are born more on the basis of cultural opinions than on objective characteristics. Having established this, it is clear that for each culture existing on planet Earth there could be a different meaning. In fact, let us not forget that these beliefs and habits around the meaning of a flower were born about a century ago, when all those means of instant communication that we can currently boast of did not exist. Therefore, even similar cultures such as European and American (which already at the beginning of the century were equivalent) have been able to give life to different meanings even in the same period of time, without being able to compare with a certain speed. This is associated with the behaviors of the peoples generally more linked to the Earth, to nature and to their life, that is to say all those indigenous peoples that unfortunately civilization and globalization are wiping out; their habits and customs, however, deserve to never get lost.