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in Garden· Home Decor· Spring· Spring

Spring Lilac Inspiration and Tips

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I always get so excited when the lilacs start blooming in the spring! These gorgeous, sweet-smelling flowers are so sentimental to me. Here are some spring lilac inspiration and tips I’d love to share with you!

A bucket full of lilacs and dog sitting on a vintage chair and quilt

Lilacs flower for only 2-3 weeks in the season, so I take full advantage of their beauty, for as long as I possibly can. I go from room to room, as well as my outdoor spaces, taking loads of pictures that I use for more spring lilac inspiration.

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Vintage bucket of lilacs on farm table in a cottage kitchen.
Vintage bucket full of spring lilac inspiration

Pruning

Unlike other woody shrubs, lilacs set next year’s flower buds during the summer, so do any pruning or shaping, right after they bloom to avoid affecting next year’s flower production. By cutting long stems when harvesting, it will ensure that next season’s blooms will have longer, straighter stems. If you want a larger lilac bush, prune it at least once a year, but less often.

Spring view with lilacs and lemons on an kitchen island.

Vase Life Tips and Tricks

Cut lilacs are very hard to keep hydrated and are prone to wilting. Here are a few tips I have found that help me when harvesting:

  • Pick flowers when it’s cool, in the morning or evening.
  • Fill a bucket (or more) 3/4 full of cool water.
  • Choose stems that have half to three-quarters of the flowers on the bloom cluster open. The more fully they are open, the less vase life they will have.
Lilacs and mirror on a fireplace mantel
  • Transfer the the cut blooms to a cool place immediately after harvesting.
  • Remove all the leaves so the plant isn’t putting energy into keeping the leaves hydrated as well.
  • Re-cut the 4-stem ends and slice them vertically up the stem 2-3 inches. Then grasp one side of the sliced stem and twist it backwards. Put the freshly cut stems immediately into cool water.
  • Leave the lilacs in a cool and dark space for a few hours so they can re-hydrate. After that time, you can start arranging them.
Bucket full of lilacs sitting on a chippy nightstand.

Fun facts and More Spring Lilac Inspiration

Lilacs are edible. They are also great in a cocktail!

lilacs and eggs.
Photo Credit: Lisa @viets_brook_farm
Spring lilacs sitting in a farm sink
Photo Credit: Debbie @seaside_cottage_couture

Purple lilacs are a symbol of first love. White lilacs symbolize youthful innocence.

Patterned chair surrounded by lilacs.
Photo Credit: @rachelsgarden_artbyamy
Lilacs in a white kitchen
Photo Credit: Carleen @prairiewooddesign

Purple lilacs are more fragrant on a warm day.

lilacs in a sea of white
Photo Credit: Debra @vintagecrushin
green vintage dresser vanity with lilacs in baskets
Photo Credit: Emily @3acrehomestead

Lilacs are fire-retardant and are always considered a great plant near homes that are more susceptible to wildfires.

lilacs and cat on table in greenhouse
Photo Credit: Tracey @tracey_hiebert

The lilac is the state flower of New Hampshire.

lilacs in a basket and white dresser
Photo Credit: Carleen @prairiewooddesign

I hope you enjoyed my spring lilac inspiration and tips. For more on how to split a lilac bush visit Rachel of The Pond’s Farmhouse. And if you want more lilac fun, click here for My May Spring Tablescape!

Until next time,


If you’ve enjoyed this blog post, please pin and share this on Pinterest.

Bucket full of lilacs with chippy turquoise vintage window.

Other Posts You May Enjoy…

  • My May Spring Tablescape
  • Simple Spring Home Tour
  • Creative Flower Container Ideas

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Filed Under: Garden, Home Decor, Spring, Spring

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jolena says

    06/04/2020 at 5:52 pm

    Lilacs are one of my all time favorites. The scent brings back childhood memories that make me smile. Thank you for sharing. Your home is lovely and looks so welcoming. Visiting from Shoestring Elegance’s link party. So glad I stopped in to your corner of the blog world!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      06/04/2020 at 6:20 pm

      Thank you so much for your visit! They remind me of my Nana. They were her favorite flowers! I appreciate the kind words about my home! Can’t wait to go visit your blog!

      Reply
  2. Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance says

    05/21/2020 at 1:31 pm

    Kim, Every image is stunningly beautiful. Thank you so very much with for sharing with us at the TFT party! I am featuring your beautiful post this weekend. Congratulations. Stay safe!
    Theresa

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/21/2020 at 1:34 pm

      Thank you so much for the kind words and the feature Theresa! I’m beyond excited, and really appreciate you hosting such a wonderful party!

      Reply
  3. Michelle says

    05/19/2020 at 12:27 pm

    I love the scent of lilacs and how beautiful they are! I never knew that they were edible, though. Very interesting! I love your photos!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/19/2020 at 8:09 pm

      I love them too! I wish they lasted longer! Thank you so much for visiting Michelle!

      Reply
  4. Debbie-Dabble says

    05/17/2020 at 5:20 am

    Beautiful pictures…I have a deep purple lilac tree and I thought the snow and ice of last weekend killed the buds but it is in full bloom now…Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope you are having a great weekend!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/17/2020 at 3:02 pm

      I’m so glad that your lilac tree was spared! I bet it’s beautiful! Thank you for visiting Debbie!

      Reply
  5. Barbara Bishop says

    05/15/2020 at 5:12 am

    Good morning Kim,
    Good tips for prolonging vase life. Wish I’d known years ago. The Royal Botanical Garden (RBG) in Burlington Ontario (40 minutes from Toronto) has the largest collection of lilacs in North America. The Lilac Dell features trees & blooms of every description and color and scent. These trees are very very old, many from France. On the first Sunday in May, weather permitting, live chamber music is played while people stroll through the dell savoring the beauty. Lilacs remind me of my grandmother, who had a magical green jthumb, and they remain a favorite of mine. As always Kim, thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/15/2020 at 12:57 pm

      Thank you for letting me know about the RBG Barbara. That sounds like an amazing place to visit. Definitely going on my bucket list! I think that because my grandmother loved lilacs, like yours did, I love this spring flower even more.

      Reply
  6. Molly says

    05/14/2020 at 2:32 pm

    Love these beautiful photos, Kim! I actually have a lilac bush to be planted this year. Friends gave it to me in honor of my mother!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/14/2020 at 5:03 pm

      Thank you Molly! That is just about the most thoughtful gift a friend could give someone. I am absolutely loving that! It will look beautiful!

      Reply
  7. Barbara at Mantel and Table says

    05/14/2020 at 10:27 am

    Thanks so much for the lilac tips – I’m happy to learn about pruning and blooming. Ours just finished, so now’s probably the time. I so love your beautiful photos, and the ones you shared too. Happy gardening up there! See you next time! 💗

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/14/2020 at 12:28 pm

      Thank you Barbara! I can’t believe how quickly they come and go! Thanks for the visit!

      Reply
  8. Jayne says

    05/13/2020 at 11:19 pm

    Wow, I learned so much from this post! For one, I did not know that lilacs were edible! I will prune our liliacs this year in the hope that they grow bushy and not leggy – thank you for sharing these tips!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/14/2020 at 12:37 pm

      I’m so glad I was able to share! Thank you for being here Jayne!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Split a Lilac Bush - The Ponds Farmhouse says:
    05/15/2020 at 5:36 am

    […] Lilac TreeYes, they can grow into a Lilac Tree For more lilac inspiration, visit Kim @shiplapandshells Pin for Future Reference […]

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Hi! I'm Kim. Welcome to my home & garden blog, Shiplap and Shells. We live in a small 1920 beach cottage in the Pacific Northwest and have spent the last 10 years renovating, reinventing, and adding character to our forever home. Read More…

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