The perfect choice from the Greenmarket, lilacs are popping up at the Greenmarket, and a substantial gathering of branches can be had for only about $6.00. The bunch I purchased in Union Square was enough to fill three vases, placed by doors and windows, filling the entire apartment with their aroma. If you are on the way to Mom's, these would be a great choice.
The lilac's blossoming region moves northward with the warming of the season. You can find these for the next few weeks, but then they will be gone from the local markets and only the florist will have them from more remote places. Enjoy them now while they are local!
lilacs in buckets at Union Square Greenmarket
I had this bundle of lilacs with me for the entire day, with the blossoms bobbing out of the top of a large bag and moving in time with my stride, like some very agreeable entourage. I had picked them up on my way in to work. People stopped me on the subway and on the streets just to say they loved lilacs - and remembered lilacs from their childhood. I also experience this same feeling when I smell them. The distinct perfume of lilacs connects with a time far off in the past when I first smelled them. I cannot remember where or when, only that it is a smell that has been in my memory before many others. And somehow this is comforting.
matt at apartmenttherapy dot com
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Lilacs are my favorite flower -- we had tons in our yard when I was growing up -- and it turns it they are my partner's favorite too. Our garden plot at our CT condo had a scraggly lilac bush, which we pruned and cared for last summer, and last weekend there were tons of buds about to bloom. After I finish my coffee, I'll be walking down to the garden to see how they are doing (and hopefully find that no one else has helped themselves to some...) Fingers crossed!
view Mid-C Frank's profile
My favorite too!
Happy cutting, Frank.
view 2nd DC Christine's profile
Lilacs: proof that there is a reward for enduring frigid winters.
view wende in the twin cities's profile
Lilacs, I love them and remember how they smelled on a crisp Spring morning. Lilacs do grow in the Bay Area but I rarely encounter them.
view ebrown's profile
I love lilacs too, but whenever I buy cut branches for my apartment they wither almost immediately. I don't have this problem with other cuttings. Anyone have any tips for keeping them fresh and blooming?
view kdka's profile
kdka--
Matt can probably correct me if I'm wrong, but I think, due to their woody stems, the stems need to be smashed (literally) near the bottom and/or cut in a cross shape with a utility knife.
Beyond that, normal rules apply... change the water, keep foliage out of the water, keep cut flowers out of direct sunlight and out of extremes of temperature and things like heat registers or AC vents.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
i use the ronnybrook milk carafes as vases too! sometimes i buy their milk just because i need another vase.
view greenconverse's profile
Ha, I have some mini daffodils in one of those milk bottles as well! I couldn't just throw the thing out, seems other people feel the same way.
view Noah's profile
I've also heard hitting the ends of the stems with a hammer helps them get nutrients quicker and stay alive longer.
view Noah's profile
Noah there is no need to throw out Ronnybrook bottles - take them back to the store to recycle. You will even get your desposit back. Or just spend it on more Ronnybrook.
view alexis's profile
Lilacs are my favorite too. I have been searching for a perfume with that beautifully delicious scent since it makes me happy and I would love to smell it year round. Anyone know of one?
view kkf's profile
I live near the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and last week - for two whole days- we could smell the lilacs. It was completely glorious and though this is my third spring in the area I don't remember smelling them before. What is it about the scent?
view Eliza's profile
Re keeping cut lilacs healthy: Martha Stewart Living this month had a feature on lilacs, and her instruction is to crush the ends before putting them in water.
Every year around this time I have a recurring daydream about LA, where starting at the end of March there are guys setting up little stands on busy corners with all different color lilacs and you can get an armload (literally -- so many you can barely wrap your arms around them) for $10 or $15.
view eliz's profile