Lilac Flowers

Lilac is the gentle cousin of purple — paler, softer, and tinged with grey or pink. Where purple is rich and saturated, lilac is faded and dreamy. The colour takes its name from the lilac bush, whose flowers fade quickly to that distinctive dusty pastel. In the garden, lilac reads as romantic and old-fashioned where purple reads as bold or regal.

Reliable lilacs include Sweet Pea Cathy (a soft heritage variety), Scabious Fata Morgana, Cosmos Cupcakes Mix, Nigella Persian Jewels (which contains a beautiful lilac), Aquilegia William Guinness, and many violas. Most "lilac" flowers will fade as they age, particularly under strong sun — part of their charm rather than a flaw.

Lilac is the cottage gardener's secret weapon. It softens stronger purples, complements pinks beautifully, and creates harmony with cream, white, and silver foliage. Pair lilac with deep burgundy for a romantic Victorian feel, with yellow for cheerful contrast, or with pale blue for a hazy, watercolour effect. It rarely clashes with anything.

Lilac is one of the most fugitive flower colours — it shifts and fades through the season more than most. This is genuinely part of its character; a border of pure lilac in early summer will mellow into dusty mauve and silver-grey by autumn. For longer-lasting lilac in the vase, cut early in the morning and keep arrangements out of direct sun.