{"id":3064,"date":"2026-10-21T16:32:35","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T16:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/safnow.org\/aboutflowers\/lilac\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T16:32:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T16:32:35","slug":"lilac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/safnow.org\/aboutflowers\/lilac\/","title":{"rendered":"Lilac"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flower Common names: Common lilac, French lilac<\/p>\n

Botanical name: Syringa vulgaris<\/p>\n

Flower description: A large spring-flowering shrub with cone-shaped clusters up to 8 inches long of small, sweetly fragrant flowers. Cut lilac is a short-season treat; forced stems extend availability.<\/p>\n

Colors: lilac, purple, lavender, blue, pink, white, cream<\/p>\n

Availability: Mid- to late spring.<\/p>\n

Special Care: Buy stems with about half the florets open. Strip all leaves below the water line; most florists remove nearly all foliage so water goes to the flowers. Re-cut woody stems and keep in deep, fresh water with flower food (SAF general care).<\/p>\n

Plant care: Garden shrub: needs cold winters, sun and well-drained soil; prune after bloom.<\/p>\n

Meaning: first love<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong> plants.ces.ncsu.edu<\/a> \u00b7 safnow.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Botanical name: Syringa vulgaris. 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