Great Ways to Use Lilacs In Decor Now!

Get ready to infuse your home with the charm of lilacs! As early spring approaches so does lilac season and the opportunity to bring these fresh flowers indoors. Their pop of color and the scent of lilac will fill our living space with gorgeous lilacs.  Whether you have lilac bushes in your yard or pick up bouquets from a local market, these blooms are a beautiful addition to any home. Let’s talk about great ways to use lilacs in decor now!

Great Ways To Use Lilacs In Decor Now!

In this post, I will share the best time to cut lilac blooms to keep them fresh longer, along with creative ways to decorate them. Plus, if you love using florals in the kitchen, I’ve got delicious recipes for lilac honey, a lilac cocktail, and a simple syrup that adds a fragrant touch to drinks and desserts. And if you want to explore floral-infused beverages, I’ll also tell you where to buy lilac wine. Be sure to check out all the details at the bottom of my post!

My Lilac Love Story

My love of lilac season began with gorgeous lilacs in our first home, it was a common lilac. Their soothing color and the scent of lilac outside my kitchen window made my day while washing dishes. In this home, I saw pictures on social media of lilac bushes in other bloggers’ homes. It made me sigh.

So, after living in our home for a few years we finally added lilac bushes in our yard next to our deck. Our deck gets full sun so I knew this was the perfect spot. Also, having MS it is an easy way to reach the lilac flowers to cut and use in our living space. When we sit on our deck, in the late afternoons to enjoy iced tea or a cocktail, we are surrounded by the smell of lilacs. And let me tell you their beautiful color and the scent of fresh lilacs are AMAZING!

Lilac Season: Enjoy Nature’s Bloom

I began to imagine this pop of color in mason jars, baskets, and coffee tables. The feeling of anticipation began, however, I knew the time for fresh lilacs was around the corner. And boy oh boy was it worth the wait. Are you ready to see these gorgeous lilacs and the easiest way to add these lilac arrangements to home decor? I can’t wait to share great ways to use lilacs in decor now!

In my very own yard, after waiting two years, our lilac shrubs began to bloom. I began squealing, and smiling and heard the pitter-pat of my heart. Knowing I was going to have fresh lilacs had me excited beyond words. As the days progressed, so did all the squealing and smiles. There were purple lilac blooms on all the lilac stems. Lilac flowers were growing on all our lilac bushes. My plans were coming true. As the lilac blossoms were getting larger, and the buds were beginning to open the smiles got larger. Plans to add these cut flowers in their lilac color my favorite way was going to happen. Creating a beautiful focal point on our living room coffee table, kitchen, and dining room finally came true! Let’s learn great ways to use lilacs in decor now together!

Idea 1: Elevate Your Space: Infuse Cut Lilacs for Charm

Ready, it’s time to see these lilac arrangements in all their purple glory! I wish you could enjoy their soothing color, the beautiful shade of lilacs, and the soft scent throughout our home. Their beauty and pop of color add a bit of rustic charm to every spot.

First, I added these lilacs to a glass jar filled with fresh cool water and a floral preservative. One of my favorite ways to display purple lilacs is in an antique Majolica pitcher.

Cindy’s Good Tip: When adding fresh flowers to an antique piece it’s best to add a glass jar. The water and the flower preservative may cause damage to old or antique piece. Remember to add fresh cool water every day. Lilacs can wilt quickly so every little bit helps them stay their best.

Idea 2: Coffee Table: Elevate Rustic Decor with a Focal Point

I immediately thought of adding the lilac flowers to this basket. It’s no longer available, but I found a similar one (HERE). I added 5 glass vases from Dollar Tree. The basket also adds great texture to elegant/rustic decor. The soft lilac color and makes these a focal point on the coffee table in our living room. Lilac season is so short I enjoy every second. Falling soft lilac petals make this extra pretty.

Idea 3: A Jardiniere Bursting With Lilac Blossoms

I love using cut flowers like lilacs to bring life to any space, and one of my favorite ways to display them is in a French antique Jardinière. The black of the Jardinière with these fresh flowers makes quite the focal point, drawing the eye in immediately. To arrange them, I added mason jars to the center with water and a floral preservative, which keeps the blooms fresh longer. The lilac color against the black of the Jardinière is beautiful with our elegant yet rustic decor, and I can’t get enough of how the lilacs cascade over the sides. That’s my favorite part. The mix of purple and green is such a perfect complementary color combo. And, if you’re looking for an easy way to tie it all together, adding a moss ball enhances the natural vibe.

Good Tip: I check the water level every morning. Add a new floral preservative packet when adding fresh cool water. As I mentioned lilacs wilt quickly and every bit helps to enjoy their soothing color and scent.

Idea 4: Floral Magic: My Favorite Way to Use Cut Lilacs

Lastly, I added the lilac flowers to our Florentine table in a McCoy pitcher. This is pretty with the topiary I made last year. This mixes a favorite way to decorate, rustic decor with a bit of elegance. The pink books are the easiest way to add a little spring color to a dark corner.

Early Morning: The Best Time to Harvest

The best time to cut lilac stems is early morning or evening.

• Check the water line every day add fresh water and a new packet of floral preservative. I can’t stress this enough. 
• Choose lilac blooms with their flowers three-quarters open. Fully open, the fewer vase life-cut lilacs will have.
• A good tip, never cut their woody stem during afternoon sun and the heat of the day. This may stress the lilac shrubs.
• The best way to cut their woody stem is to use a clean pair of cutting shears. I keep a set of pruning shears in our kitchen specifically for cutting fresh flowers.
• Cut each lilac stem at a 45-degree angle.
• We also bring a large bucket filled ½ way with cool water. Because lilac stems have a woody stem, they love to drink. 
• Immediately after cutting, I remove all the leaves from the lilac stems cut each stem about an inch, and smash the stem. before making any lilac arrangements.
• Let the cut flowers drink cool water for a few hours in a dark place dry place. I like to let them drink for 2-4 hours. I do the same process with our hydrangeas. Woody stem plants love to drink water and I can’t believe how much they drink. Our laundry room is the perfect spot because we have no windows. A basement will work too.
• After a couple of hours, gather items to hold the fresh flowers. I like using baskets with a glass jar, pitchers, a wood crate, or jardienerie. I add water and a new floral preservative packet before making my lilac arrangements.

When adding flower arrangements to areas in our living space, I try to keep them from direct sunlight. I do this with our hydrangeas too.

Fun Facts About Lilacs:

Lilac was the color of the year in 2022. Adding this color to an accent wall or architectural features is a brilliant way to add a bit of this color to your home.

Exploring The Lilac Color Theory 

Ever wonder about the color theory behind the color lilac? The color was named after the soft color flower in the late 1700s and symbolizes spirituality, early love, or first love.

What do lilacs attract?

Lilacs are easy to grow. The shrubs are filled with fragrant purple flowers that bloom in spring. They attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Fresh lilacs make the best-cut flowers.

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How to prune a Bloomerang lilac?

We bought the Bloomerang lilac shrub because it blooms twice a year, in later spring, and fall. The trick was to learn the best way to prune them, so we got the most out of their bloom time and growing season. Bloomerang lilacs bloom on old and new wood (last year’s woody stem and this year’s new stem growth), and because of their size do not require regular pruning.

When their late spring bloom is finished, we find this is the best time to “give them a haircut.” We cut any remaining spent flowers with hand-held garden shears to the next leaf. This has worked for us and given us the best rebloom before late fall.

Lilac Lilac Lovers: Explore The Varieties Of Lilacs And Blooms

• Syringa Vulgaris – Persian Lilac: This common lilac is an old-fashioned favorite and is what we had when I fell in love with the plant. They are a deciduous large shrub/small tree. They bloom in early spring are upright and make a great tall and dense hedge.
• Syringa X – Bloomerang Series: This variety is deer- and disease-resistant. They grow from 4-6 feet tall (ours are 4ft.) Their leaves are a beautiful green and turn yellow in fall. And their branches tend to arched. The lilac blooms last for weeks from mid to late spring. They rebloom from mid to late summer until frost.  
• Syringa Vulgaris – Primrose: These lilacs bloom with large flowers in a beautiful shade of creamy yellow. They have dark heart-shaped leaves. These work in a group or alone.
• Syringa X Obalat – Betsy Ross: These lilac flowers enjoy high humidity. They get 10 ft. high to 13 feet wide. White flowers bloom in early spring and are known for being resistant to powdery mildew. It’s one of the few lilacs that can grow in southern climates.

Garden To Table: Discover The World Of Edible Flowers

Lilacs are edible flowers. Have you ever thought about having a lilac cocktail or lilac ice cubes? Imagine enjoying a cocktail, iced tea, or lemonade on a spring afternoon while enjoying the sunshine.

What about enjoying some Lilac ice cream?

Can you imagine seeing specks of soft lilac blended into vanilla ice cream? I found a few recipes I’m sharing from The Farmer’s Daughter. Kelsey tries to find a way to savor the lilac a little bit longer since their bloom time goes by quickly. This is the best way to enjoy a treat on a warm spring day! She shares the easiest way to make lilac jelly too!

Luxurious Lilac Sugar and Irresistible Lilac Syrup

Here’s another easy way to use lilac in the kitchen, lilac sugar and lilac syrup. Kelsey from The Farmer’s Daughter adds a handful of clean, dry lilac blooms to a cup of sugar and lets it sit. She shakes it once a day. After a few days, using a strainer she removes the flowers. This is a brilliant way to give a gift for Mother’s Day or to the lilac lover in your life!

SOURCE

Elevate Your Cocktails And Desserts With Lilac Simple Syrup

Adventures in Cooking shares an easy way to make lilac simple syrup for spring drinks. They say the syrup looks brown in the bottle, but it adds a soft lilac color to drinks. Spruce Eats offers tips for the best way to add this to numerous cocktails and beverages.

Important Tip:  When making this sugar only use lilac blossoms from Common Lilac, not Persian Lilac. Every purple lilac must be removed individually. They also advise avoiding using any part of the lilac stems!

Sweeten Your Palette: Indulge In Lilac Honey

Have you ever heard of Lilac honey? Colleen from Grow Forge Cook Ferment says the easiest way to preserve the smell of lilacs and the taste of summer is with lilac honey. Make this lilac-infused honey for an easy way to preserve the flavor of these spring flowers. The blooming of fragrant lilac flowers means that spring is really here! These beautiful blossoms are edible and delicious. Common varieties are recommended for this recipe. However, she says to do your research with lilacs growing in your own yard.

Important Tip: Be sure the lilacs you grow are safe to add to food. Persian lilacs aren’t recommended for consumption!

A Refreshing Lilac Cocktail Experience

Ben from Havoc In The Kitchen shares a Lilac Empress 1908 cocktail. This cocktail is filled with gorgeous lilacs and the color is beautiful!

Savor the Season: Lilac Wine An Enchanting Taste Of Spring!

I haven’t heard about lilac wine, have you? I found Maple River Winery and this is what they say about their wine.

“Our unique Lilac Wine is produced with handpicked white, lavender, and purple lilac blossoms. This semi-sweet white wine has a velvet citrus taste with a hint of lilac fragrance across your tongue with each sip. Perfect for entertaining. Enjoy chilled or with fruits or cheese and crackers. We enjoyed several bottles with a group. The taste brings you the smell of lilacs. As seen on NBC’s Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda on March 22, 2011.”

Infuse Your Home with the Beauty and Charm of Lilacs

As we wrap up our journey of the great ways to use lilacs in decor now! It’s clear that these blooms offer many possibilities for adding beauty, fragrance, and a touch of springtime charm to any space. Whether adding them to a coffee table in a rustic basket, a jardiniere, or culinary creations, lilacs bring joy to every corner of your home. From different lilac varieties and color palettes, these blooms truly elevate any room. So, whether you’re an avid lilac lover or just discovering them, now is the time to infuse your living space with gorgeous lilacs. I look forward to sharing updated styling with lilacs this year. I’m gathering ideas now that spring has arrived.

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