The lilac world is far more complex than the gardener may think. Lilacs have been cultivated for over 300 years and have survived the test of time. Much of their history originates in Asia and Europe. They were brought over to the Americas to become the spectacular plant that is today part of our heritage. Fragrance, hardiness, bloom, names, childhood memories and even dates Everyone has there reasons to feel an attachment to lilacs and that is why it is so widely planted and is part of North American history. Some past presidents such as Thomas Jefferson made note in his writings about the lilacs in his garden back in 1767 and so did George Washington in 1785. There are many places that have lilacs that have seen many generations go past them such as the WentworthCoolidge Mansion in Porthsmouth New Hampshire and in Makinac Island, Michigan that claim to have the oldest lilacs in North America. Some lilacs have been planted by in the 1600’s There are 18 species of lilacs that cover over 1800 named cultivars.

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