Growing up there was a huge lilac bush outside my bedroom window. I still can recall daydreaming on my bed on sunny, spring days looking out on fragrant clusters of lavender flowers. Then I didn't know that lavender lilacs are the symbol of the first emotions of love. Who knows what I was going through as an adolescent at the time!
In Greek mythology, the nymph Syringa (lilac's botanical name) found herself being chased by Pan, the god of fields and forest. To escape his pursuit, she turned herself into a fragrant, flowering bush.
Last year I managed to find a small lilac bush for sale at Charlie Smart's nursery in Te Kuiti. Lilacs are not all that common in NZ. I planted it on my garden bank amidst the thriving hydrangea as a bit of an experiment, along with two peonies I am nursing along (another experiment and another story).
This past weekend John and I were at Charlie's again picking up some plants and trees for our various landscaping projects. He had flowering lilacs for sale and I couldn't resist picking up another, particularly since my lilac had yet to bloom. Charlie mentioned that it wasn't all that easy to get them to bloom, that they prefer sustained cold winter weather.
Returning to Struan Farm I planted the new bush and went to see the first. To my utter astonishment, it too was budding and about to flower. Happy Days!
When I went to photograph both bushes, I noticed that the cluster of flowers on the new bush was heart shaped:
Messages from the universe for sure: love abounds at Struan Farm, no need to daydream.
Gorgeous! Lilacs smell wonderful and make such beautiful arrangements. Love the heart!
Posted by: Marilyn | 11/11/2011 at 07:24 AM