Liliacs: Love Them or Loathe Them

A lovely time of year in Wyoming is when the lilac bushes are in full bloom. The smell is intoxicating and the Valley becomes vibrant in colorful flowers. The common lilac can grow in multiple growing zones, making it a hardy shrub. They need very little care to survive and can withstand temperatures of even -40 degrees fahrenheit in winter months. This makes it a perfect shub for the harsh Wyoming growing seasons.

Though not a native North American plant they are often found near abandoned homesteads and ghost towns. Pioneers commonly planted them along their journeys out west. Many lilac bushes you see around town are over 100 years old. The shrubs do well in alkaline soils, wind and once established can handle drought and freeze conditions. It’s almost as if lilacs were made for Wyoming with that growing description.

Lilacs are easily recognizable and even many small children can learn to point them out. Many believe lilacs could be the first plants brought into the high plants by pioneers and settlers. The shubs have been mentioned in plenty of literature from the time. As well as the tendencies to find very old large lilac bushes near settlements and abandoned homesteads. 

These beautiful bushes may have reminded them of home and brought them comfort during the difficult times they faced. Personally, lilacs have always reminded me of Wyoming spring time and seemingly mild summers. We didn’t always have lilacs where we lived growing up as we moved a lot. However we often visited Saratoga and our family in the valley. My grandmother’s house in Saratoga is to this day surrounded by large lilac shrubs of many colors. 

These bushes surrounding her home like many in town are well over 100 years old. Showing just how hardy these shrubs can be. No matter how harsh our winters can get, these bushes still bloom spring after spring. Signaling the beginning of the summer fun. Saratoga isn’t the only Wyoming town with a rich liliac history. In fact many Wyoming communities celebrate their lilac roots. 

The most notable of these may be Basin Wyoming, long ago the town was even nicknamed lilac city. This was due to the large number of lilacs adorning the courthouse square along with private yards and along the main street. Though an extremely cold winter hit the shrubs hard in 1978. The town still celebrates its lilacs with a two day festival and the bank in town is rumored to give out lilacs during their customer appreciation day. 

This is not the only time lilacs can be given as gifts. Lilacs can make a traditionally popular gift for graduates. This is due to their early bloom time and the many things they can symbolize. In fact different color lilacs supposedly symbolize different things like tranquility, and love or spirituality. Although various colors of lilacs have different meanings, the lilac has always had a strong association with love and romance throughout history. 

Speaking of history Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson had an affinity for lilacs and grew them in their gardens. Poet Walt Whitman even referred to lilacs in a narrative depicting Abraham Lincons last days. “When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloom’d”, using the flower as a symbol of life after death. 

Some folks however may not be as fond of the flower. The hay fever season has been known to turn allergy sufferers into flower haters. While there are numerous flowers that can’t cause allergies, there are others that have a strong effect on allergies. Even though most high fragrance flowers like lilacs don’t aggravate allergies, they can still irritate those prone to breathing allergies. In close quarters, these flowers can cause nausea and headaches. Lilac can cause 4 main allergic conditions: skin rashes, bronchial asthma, conjunctivitis and rhinitis. For some, spring time means sneezing, itchy nose, stuffy nose and runny nose along with tears, feeling of sand in your eye and itching. This can make even the happiest people irritable. Lilac fragrance has been known to cause bronchial asthma which is characterized by labored breathing, itchy throat and coughing. Even people with skin allergies are not safe with lilac flowers. Small itchy acne, itchy blisters are not the best things to pair with a new springtime sunburn. These beautiful flowers can be a menace to those with allergies. However they can have many uses outside being beautiful, for those of us fortunate enough to avoid hay fever and allergies. 

Other than the enchanting beauty of lilacs they have many surprising uses. Due to the pleasant fragrance lilas are a popular ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics. They can be made into an essential oil that’s known to treat skin disorders. It can also help combat bacterial and fungal infections, prevent stomach disorders and act as a fever reducer. Used in aromatherapy lilacs can help fight depression and increase relaxation. It’s no wonder early settlers brought this plant to the high plants with them on their journeys to the west. The beauty and smells may have reminded them of home and the medical properties they found in lilacs made the plant almost priceless. 

Today we have other options to treat many of these ailments thanks to modern medicine, however there are still plenty of uses for lilacs this spring. Lilacs are edible when freshly picked and clean, do not use lilacs that have been treated with pesticides.  They can make a beautiful dessert topper for cupcakes, cakes, cookies and other sweets. You can mist a bit of water on the lilacs and roll them in granulated sugar for a sweet flower decoration that’s natural and edible.

One fun summer trick is to try freezing lilac blooms in ice cubes. This will give the cubes some color and even add flavor to your ice tea or lemonade you are serving.It really is pretty and adds a nice touch that will make people think you have too much time on your hands for your next barbecue or get together. 

Did you know you can even make flavored honey with lilacs? Lilacs and honey pair quite well together. To make your own lilac honey all you need is some fresh lilacs and honey of your choice. I love using the local honey of Platte valley. Place the stems in the honey jar and allow to infuse for 4 weeks in a cool and dry place. This lilac honey is great on toast, muffins, or anything else you can think of.

Finally a beautiful flower display is  a welcome addition to any home. Cut your lilacs at an angle and run the stems under cool water. Place some clean water in a vase and add a crushed aspirin to help them live longer. Keep your lilacs out of the sun and you should be able to enjoy them for a week.

Though the season for lilacs is short their history is long. Don’t be afraid to give these uses for lilacs a try or just enjoy their beauty while you’re out in the sun around town.

 

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