Content
- The lilac - A garden classic in the profile
- Lilac in a nutshell
- Characterization, species and varieties
- No relationship with the summer or butterfly lilac
- Tips
Lilac belongs to the family of olive trees
The lilac - A garden classic in the profile
In many gardens, the native of Southeastern Europe lilac is found and offers especially during its flowering time a feast for the eyes. The shrub or small tree is considered robust and undemanding, also he can be very old. Even in a sufficiently large bucket, the popular woodland can be cultivated, especially if it is a small-growing species such as Syringa meyeri (dwarf lilac) or Syringa microphylla (small-leaved autumn lilac).
Lilac in a nutshell
Characterization, species and varieties
In the gardens and parks is usually the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) to be found, which has been cultivated since the 16th century in Central Europe and offers a large variety of varieties. However, there are a number of other species that bloom just as well - and often exude the characteristic scent. Lilac is usually grown as a shrub or small tree and may, depending on the species and variety, be between 150 and 600 centimeters high. Despite the characteristic, sweet scent of the lilac is rarely flown by insects: it tastes very bitter because of its slightly toxic ingredients, which is especially true for its flowers and their nectar.
No relationship with the summer or butterfly lilac
If you want to do something good for butterflies, bumblebees and bees, you should better cultivate the summer or butterfly lilac (Buddleja) instead of the common lilac, which is a sought-after pasture especially for butterflies. The species are not related to each other despite the name equality and the similar flowers.
Tips
On many websites as well as in some cookbooks recipes for lilac berries or blossoms are to be found, for example, lilac or lilac tea, both of which are said to reduce fever. However, these are not the berries or flowers of Syringa lilac, but of the black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), which is often referred to as "lilac" especially in northern Germany - which of course causes confusion.