April 9, 2012

Still Life With Lilacs

My friend Jonathan snagged me some lilacs this evening as we were leaving a meeting, and they’re gorgeous! I can’t remember lilacs ever blooming this early, and it’s so strange that azaleas, daffodils, tulips, lilacs and every flowering tree possible are blooming at the same time.

Lilacs are one of my favourite flowers, but I can never get them to last more than 24 hours, tops. I am hoping that these beauties last. Their scent is filling my house and it’s just incredible.

12 comments:

  1. I love cut Lilac too. For me they last a teensy bit longer in a tall vase making two clean cuts. A long diagonal cut across the stem and then another up into the stem about 1-1.5" to split it. This just gives more surface area for the stem to draw up water.

    Paul

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  2. Exactly, what paul said. And warm water is good.

    If he stem shrivels, give it a fresh cut and a deep drink of warm water.

    Like Gloria Gaynor, it will survive.
    xo

    Jane

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  3. Paul is spot on. New England method is to actually smash the stem ends. I make at least a 1" diagonal cut but if stem is really thick will then split it as well.

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  4. Hi Meg--they are gorgeous. We really do not have lilacs in So. Cal., but the roses are fantastic this year. Be well. Mary

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  5. Hi Meg--they are gorgeous. We really do not have lilacs in So. Cal., but the roses are fantastic this year. Be well. Mary

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  6. My grandmother always said to try and cut them in the morning and strip all the leaves off before trimming the bottom stem and putting in warm water.

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  7. Isn't this early blooming something?
    We are actually having temps in the 20's at night, and the orchard trees may suffer.
    But how I ADORE lilacs!
    Gorgeous display you have!
    xoxo,
    - Irina

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  8. What a divine lucky girl you are + beautiful. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  9. Oh, how I miss the lilacs in my yard when we lived in Timonium. There scent is wonderful. But they don,t do well here in South Carolina. Please enjoy them.

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  10. I'm with you Meg, I adore lilacs and their aroma. When I was a kid Cardiff was covered in lilac. Every lane had banks of it cascading over the walls. My mum used to walk around with shears and collect handfuls of them to fill the house. You don't see so many now. Such a shame. They don't tend to last once cut, another shame.
    Enjoy them while you can.
    Di
    X

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