https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182116396
During the week, I went on a quick walk and stumbled upon a stunning common lilac in Homer, Alaska. It was fairly easy to find, as it lives on my little property here in Homer. It was a sunny day with a gentle wind, around 54 degrees.
Scientifically known as “Syringa Vulgaris," this lilac was originally native to the Balkan Peninsula (1), but now it flourishes throughout Alaska due to our cold temperatures and coastal areas. If you’re lucky enough to be near a lilac, you will enjoy its magnificent blooms in late spring, where assuming there are not too many frosts, it will continue to flower through early summer (2). This particular lilac is massive, standing at 11 feet tall and at least 22 feet in diameter. Although it has no buds left now that summer is coming to an end, I can still imagine how grand it looked with them, and the scent was simply heavenly!
This gigantic lilac is a great resource for bees and adds to the beauty of the landscape. In the past, people have used lilac leaves as an astringent or face wash, and even taken them internally as a de-wormer(3)! Presently, man continues to use lilac in some natural beauty products, and also to flavor honey, sugars, food, and other sweets (1).
Since the lilac was such a familiar sight from my childhood in Belgium and England, it reminds me of my fondest childhood memories. Back then, the buds signaled the excitement of the upcoming summer. This enormous lilac provides a sense of belonging for me in this wonderful little town of Homer, Alaska.
(1) "Syringa Vulgaris." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Aug. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syringa_vulgaris. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
(2) "Lilacs in the Alaskan Landscape." Alaska Master Gardeners, unknown revision date, www.alaskamastergardeners.org/lilacs.html#:~:text=Lilacs%20can%20be%20a%20wonderful,available%20in%20local%20Alaskan%20nurseries. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
(3) "History, Culture and Uses of the Lilac: Syringa Vulgaris." Dave's Garden, unknown revision date, davesgarden.com/guides/articles/history-culture-and-uses-of-the-lilac-syringa-vulgaris. Accessed 8 Sept. 2023.
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