Earliest Historical References of the Lilac Shrub/Flower
1546-1550 Lilacs were first described by Pierre Belon, a French naturalist who had visited the court of Suleiman the Magnificent, Sultan of Turkey. This is considered a significant historical story because it marks the introduction of this popular plant into Western European culture and illustrates the 16th-century exchange of knowledge, botany, and diplomacy between the Ottoman Empire and Europe.
1562-1563 Ambassador Busbecq is credited with transporting the lilac shrubs from the Ottoman Empire to the imperial gardens in Vienna, Austria and later to Paris.
Hybrids were so frequently grown by French nurserymen that France became synonymous with lilacs; many common lilacs today are known as “french hybrids”.
Lilacs are native to Eastern Europe and Asia.
Victorian Meaning for Lilacs: Beauty and Pride, (Purple Lilacs) First emotions of love, (White Lilacs) Youthful Innocence
Historical References of the Lilac in America
The colonists brought lilacs to America in the 17th century.
Due to their extreme hardiness, lack of maintenance, and disease resistance, they were widely planted by American pioneers and settlers as they moved West.
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson planted lilacs in their gardens.
Mackinac Island in the upper peninsula of Michigan have original Victorian lilac plants, dating more than 150 years old.
The ‘President Lincoln’ lilac, introduced in 1916, is still considered one of the best “true blue” lilacs. It was introduced by John Dunbar of the Rochester Highland Park team.
The oldest living lilacs in North America may be those at the Governor Wentworth estate (shown in photo) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire believed to have been planted around 1750.
Since 1919, the lilac has been the official state flower of New Hampshire because it symbolizes the hardy character of the men and women living in the Granite State.
Left: Spokane Washington 2024 Queens Court Right: First Spokane Queen, Shannon Mahoney
Popular Lilac Festivals Locations in the United States
Spokane, Washington first celebrated the lilac with festivals in 1938. In 1940, Shannon Mahoney was selected as the first Lilac Festival queen. In 1942 war conditions took precedence over community events. A flower show was held, however the parade was dispensed with, but the garden clubs remained active by giving lilacs to soldiers passing through Spokane on troop trains.
Popular Lilac Festival locations in the U.S. Cont . . .
- Mackinac Island, Michigan since 1949
- Highland Park, Rochester, NY since 1898
- Lombard, Illinois since 1929
- Calgary, Alberta (Canada) since 1989
- Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion in Portsmouth, New Hampshire since the early 2000’s
- The World’s Largest Collection (Highland Park, Rochester, NY): Rochester, NY, is a “lilac city” that holds a massive 10-day festival featuring over 1,200 bushes and 500 varieties. Horticulturist John Dunbar planted the first ones in 1892, and the park now hosts the largest collection in North America.
Famous Lilac Festival locations in Europe and Asia
- Dobele, Latvia (Europe’s largest collection)
- Sapporo, Japan
- Ponoare, Romania
- Fête du Lilas (Vitry-sur-Seine, France)
- Centennial Lilac Poetry Festival in Beijing, China
When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d by Walt Whitman – This 1865 poem is part of a series written after President Lincoln’s assassination which Whitman was known to have made reference as the “shepherd” of the American people. His words mourn the death of a nation’s leader.
First of sixteen stanzas written by Walt Whitman
When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom’d,
And the great star early droop’d in the western sky in the night,
I mourn’d, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.
Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring,
Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west,
And thought of him I love.
Growing guidelines for eight spring flowerings shrubs including the Lilac.
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