Lilac: the flower of fairies and purity

The Lilac, whose botanical name is Syringa vulgaris, is a shrub with deciduous leaves. This plant is native to northern Asia, the Far East and Persia. Much appreciated for its fragrance and rich flowering, the Lilac plant is widely used to decorate small and large gardens. It is in fact a shrub capable of reaching a height of 5 meters, but it is not rare to see it cultivated also as a hedge. In the past it has been abundantly used mainly for therapeutic purposes and to create pleasing essences, thanks to the abundant flowering that occurs in spring. The branches have an upward trend and the leaves are characterized by a graceful heart shape. The flowers are typically of lilac color, but with the presence of numerous hybrid specimens it is currently possible to admire showy blooms in pink, dark pink and light purple.

Cultivation

Being a shrub capable of reaching remarkable heights, the Lilac finds its ideal position in the ground. In pot instead it requires great availability of earth and space.
However, it is a very resistant species, which is why there is no need to resort to special techniques for its cultivation.
When the young plant needs to be planted, it is sufficient to prepare the accommodation by digging a hole and placing a light layer of fertilized soil on the bottom. It is advisable to soak the roots of the lilac for about an hour and then place it. This way you can reinsert the earth without pressing too much on the roots. Everything should be done in spring or even better in the fall. After a short period where the plant will regain its balance, the lilac will be completely autonomous.

Diseases and cures

The only disease to which the Lilac plant is subject is the bacteriosis. If taken in time, it is easy to intervene using copper and calcium oxychloride preparations. Rarely, but not impossible, it is instead that the plant contracted the peronospora that manifests itself through the appearance of small dot spots on the leaves. Although rare, this disease is rather harmful because it is still a funginic form, so eradicating it is rather difficult. To treat a lilac plant affected by this disease it is necessary to resort to copper or if you want to use natural methods, the nettle macerate.

Curiosity

In ancient times the flowers were used for the preparation of both perfumes and massage oil which was very useful for combating rheumatic pains. In addition, the Lilac plant has always been placed alongside the fairy figures. The ancient beliefs in this regard in fact that behind the flowers of this plant frequently hide these fairy figures. At the same time, the symbolism associated with this flower shows similarities with purity and with religious ceremonies.