Lilac - or French Lilac as it is called here, "Flieder" in German - is a shrub or small tree that you can find all over Germany. There, it usually blooms in May and fills the air with its wonderful scent. California is not the best place for lilac - the summers are too hot (at least in many areas) and the winters are too mild. Lilac needs a good and decent winter chill to perform to its full glory.
And still I have lilac in my garden. This year they are doing especiallywell - maybe because we had some pretty cold days in the winter.
I planted this particular one in memory of my dad who passed away in 2014.
He loved lilac. Specifically, he liked the scent of lilac. Whenever he saw a blooming lilac he would go there and put his nose close to the flower, inhaling the typical lilac perfume. Sometimes we would all be in the car - my parents, my brother and I - driving somewhere when he would suddenly stop and jump out of the car. He had seen a lilac by the side of the road and of course! he had to smell it. This didn't happen once but several times. I remember that I felt rather embarrassed as a child about this behavior.
Today, I understand him so much better! I wish he could smell my lilac.
This is one of my fondest memories of my dad. He was a difficult man and we often argued, but the older I get the more important the good memories become - and this is perfectly fine with me. I only wish I had told him how many good memories I have of him.
And since this is a post for Elizabeth's T stands for Tuesday and I'm writing about my dad, I'm sharing a drink my dad often enjoyed - a cold German beer (this picture, however, I had taken in a German restaurant in Manhattan).
I used to love the aroma of lilacs, but eventually, the pollen in them made me sneeze! What a pity. I still love the color and shape of a lilac bush, and your photos are wonderful (and not allergenic at all).
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Beautiful photos, I have always loved lilacs. I was thrilled to find two lilac bushes here at our new lake home. I will be splitting of the offshoots to plant more bushes to fill up some spaces with pretty flowers while getting rid of the grass
ReplyDeleteHappy T wishes Kathy
Beautiful lilacs and wonderful that they give you a sweet memory every time you smell them.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tea Day,
Kate
Oh how i love the lilacs- their beauty and their scent! Your photos and memories are wonderful. I have two white double lilac bushes but they are barely budding , and now it has gotten VERY cold again:(.
ReplyDeleteI'll just enjoy yours for now. Happy T day!
I must be like your dad. I will go up to lilacs just to smell them. I have a lilac candle in my living room. And lucky you to have them blooming already. It is usually late May or June before we get them. Thanks for sharing this post Carola. It makes me think of spring, especially on a very cold day. Have a great T day and week ahead. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI adore lilac and have several in the garden. So far, only the white ones bloom.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to remember your father. I had difficulties with mine, but think fondly of him each time I see autumnal berries.
Lilacs are the scent of my grandmother, the unconditional love and the lighthearted time away from a home that was fraught with anxiety and unhappiness. I adore them.
ReplyDeleteYour lilacs are gorgeous. Mine were never like that. In fact, for 20 years, the lilac in my backyard before we moved only had 3 or so of small ones. I don't know why they wouldn't grow! Just green bushes. Thanks for showing yours. Happy t day.
ReplyDeleteI miss my lilac bushes I had in my home in Missouri. I also love the scent of lilacs and their tiny flowers, too. What a fabulous way to pay homage to your father. I understand that feeling, because there were times I resented my grandfather. However, after my grandmother died (my grandparents raised me from birth), he and I got much closer.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely looking German beer, Carola. Thanks for sharing it and your gorgeous lilac bush with us for T this Tuesday, dear.
A very, very sweet post.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same about my Dad. The older I get the better I understand. Sad it´s too late.
Crazy. I never saw Flieder in the "wild", only in the botanical garden. Or I did not pay attention - I will change that.
Have a happy T-day, to memories!
Your post made me cry. It was as if you were talking about my late dad. He also loved lilac and always stopped to smell its perfume. In England I had a lilac bush in his memory. Of course we couldn't take it with us when we moved to Spain. Here we have a hot climate, but our winters are quite cold because of the elevation. I might be able to grow one on my patio. You have given me an idea. I will try and find out. I'll let you know.
ReplyDeleteHappy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
Lovely pictures, lovely thoughts, and lovely memories, Carola. I love lilacs too. Raising a coffee to you and your memories this morning. Happy T-day. Hugz
ReplyDeletePlease don't feel bad about not knowing what a decorator napkin is. The are usually three ply and have lovely images on at least one side and normally all over then napkin.
ReplyDeleteLilacs are gorgeous, we had one in our garden when I was growing up. Love your German beer too. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx
ReplyDeleteI love lilacs and that deep rich purple is so gorgeous. I don't have a bush but my neighbor has one between our houses and she's offered me free cutting, a gesture on which I always take her up! These are stunners, Carola!
ReplyDeleteI can smell the lilac in your garden from here, Carola. It's blooming beautifully. Where I live in the mountains in northern California, the Winters are anything but mild, and we get snow and cooooold days. It's just starting to warm up, but still cold in the mornings. So nice that you planted a bush in memory of your Dad, and the cold German beer looks tasty.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week.
~Sheri
The lilacs look so pretty and I'd love to try that German beer - so yummy 😉. Cheers and Happy T Day! Hugs Jo x
ReplyDeleteLilac is alwas beautiful, the trees here in the park will be flowering very soon. Love your beautiful photos! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful flowers! They look like enthusiastic bloomers. Happy T Tuesday
ReplyDeleteThese are just gorgeous. Looks like a lot of beer drinking this week. Love it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories and beautiful Lilacs. They are a favorite for me as well. I grew up in Oregon where they were pretty common in the older gardens. Years ago we tried to get them to grow here but had no luck.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love the lilacs in your garden. How very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday, Carola!
Beautiful lilacs and a lovely tribute to your dad. As to letting him know how many happy memories of him you have, he knows. Happy T Day
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