I literally dreamed about lilacs last night. I was driving down a road and kept seeing purple and white clusters hanging from some of the roadside trees. Of course this was a dream so they were a bit Suessical in form. I pulled over into a muddy and gray area of this road to further inspect the purple puffs. As I walked closer the intoxicating fragrance surrounded me, I didn't need to go any further. I turned around, got back in my truck and drove off. Spring IS coming. So is our annual Spring Gathering...mark your calendar now, Tuesday evening, March 3rd 5PM-9PM, Wednesday March 4th through Saturday March 7th, 10AM - 5PM...more to come on this.
The first flowers we will see around Ohio will be those of the Forsythia, a hearty deciduous shrub. Flower buds form in the fall and then when the spring temperatures reach about 55 brilliant yellow (mimosa?) flowers emerge. Forsythis is not picky about it's soil but climate is crucial, below freezing temperatures are a must, not usually a problem in Ohio. The branches are perfect for forcing inside since the buds are already formed. Try some in a tall clear vase to add some early Spring to your home.
forced forsythia from House Beautiful March 2008Forsythia was first introduced to Western gardens from China and Japan in the 19th century. Forsythia fruit is often used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat colds and viral infections that are accompanied with a fever. It's most often combined with honeysuckle flowers in honeysuckle forsythia fruit, which is possibly the most widely used traditional cold remedy in mainland China. Typical preparations are steamed and dried to be used in teas, infusions, capsules and extracts. It is also native to Korea. William Forsyth, an English horticulturist, brought the first shrub from Japan to England. It wasn't until 1833 that the group became popular as a garden shrub. For more history visit this site.
For those of you wondering, I am still working on the cupboard and wil post some photos as soon as it's done. Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. I so enjoy reading all the suggestions and the "please don't paint it!!" comments. Feel free to keep the ideas coming...
I can almost hardly wait for spring. Lilacs are my absolute favorite. Our bushes are not very big yet, but I snatch them up whenever I see them.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I love lilacs. My grandma had tons of them and as a child my family lived in Spokane, WA the "Lilac City". They don't do well in Tx., so thanks for the pretty pic.
ReplyDeleteBTW, what a loving thing you did for your friend and her daughters when they lost their mom/grandma.
marcie
you had me at lilacs. how i LOVE their smell and delicate flower.
ReplyDeletei just discovered your site although now i am thinking -- did i read about you in romantic homes this month? fun!
i am having a give-away if you'd like to stop by and enter.
xo
Just made wonderful lilac soap and candles for Sisters' Garden...my house smells divine...and may I ask how much snow you fellow Northerners got last night???
ReplyDeleteBrr...it ain't over till it's over...but we can dream...right!
sharon
I can't think of anything that smells better then lilacs. I adore them and miss them so much. They don't grow down here in NC. THank you so much for the wondrful picture!
ReplyDeleteBeth
Wow- hard to pick between Lilacs and Forsythia...but we see forsythia first here in Iowa, I htink. I do not have either planted in the yard at this old house YET. I have one forsythia that I had to leave at the other house and as soon as it warms oup, I'm going back and digging it up- I told them thatwhen we moved...The smell of lilacs is enchanting...even if they don't last long as being cut...
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you do with that cabinet. I can't believe that men were more into it than women, because I love it.
ReplyDeleteForsythia is so beautiful, but people keep cutting them down and removing them. I'm getting one for our new old house this spring :)
rue
What beautiful flowers and my absolute favorite color.
ReplyDeleteCece