Drive along any of the many roads throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania and you will find lawns and property lines dotted with lilacs. We choose them because of their beauty and for the perfume that saturates the air around them. We keep them because our mother’s and grandmother’s had them; invoking fond memories.  Despite all of the enjoyment we gain from the lilac’s presence most would be surprised that there is even more to be gained from such a long standing plant.

Most people are unaware that lilacs are edible. Lilacs are ideal in soft cheeses and baked goods. They also make an excellent compliment to frozen yogurts.  Lilacs have a sweet floral taste; each variety offering a slightly different flavor than the others.

To prepare lilacs pick the flowers shortly after blooming.  Remove the individual flower heads and add them to soft cheeses like cream cheese or brie. To add to frozen yogurt crush slightly and mix in. Sugared Lilacs are perfect for garnishes for cakes, pies, and sconces. Crushed lilacs can be added to a favorite sugar cookie or shortbread recipe for anew taste.

When selecting which lilacs to grow, taste the flowers first. This will give you an idea which flavors your will have available to you in full bloom. To grow lilacs, plant them in neutral, fast draining soil in a sunny location. To keep the lilac blooming all season, prune and shape the shrub. Doing this will help the lilac bush to renew and will ensure a consistently full bloom. Every couple of years cut back the larger stalks and shorten some of the lanky ones. Apply a mulch of rotted manure every two years in the fall. Watch for leaf miners, stem borers, and mildew that have a taste for lilacs and remove immediately.