Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

Best gathered in armloads, this flowering plant has had a rather conflicting symbolic past in Britain. The Victorians, who’s language of flowers I tend to lean towards, saw lilacs as a symbol of first love, with white beauties suggesting innocence. Before this however, the flower held a rather more discouraging interpretation. It was considered bad luck to bring the bloom in to the home, young ladies who wore the blossom doomed to be single forever, and heaven forbid you should receive a lilac from your spouse as it was widely considered a breaking off of an engagement. 

Back in favour and back in the home, lilacs continue to charm a dull day, rewarding us with a honey sweet perfume so dynamic it quickly permeates a room.