Syringa: everything you want to know

Syringa, commonly known as Lilac, is a delicate, romantic flower, and one of the few (cut)flowers that has a delicious fragrance. It’s one of the most exclusive flowers available. This is partly due to the difficult cultivation, and not many growers are left. 90% of the production worldwide is in Aalsmeer (The Netherlands). Did you know that the plant is only flowering once every two years? Besides this, the cultivation of the flower is very manual, there’s no option for automation.

The name Syringa

The name Syringa is derived from the old ancient Greek word syrinx, meaning pipe or tube. A reference to the hollow branches of the plant. The common English name for Syringa is Lilac, this is a reference to the light purple color of the flowers. Not only the name has a history in Greece, there is another ancient Greek myth. Pan, the god of forest and field, was in love with a nymph called Syringa. Syringa was hiding for Pan, she disguised herself as a plant. Pan was looking and looking but could not find her. He did find the plant, and because of the hollow stems he cut the plant and made his first pan flute.

The fragrant symbol for spring

In Cyprus, Greece, and Lebanon the flowers are associated with Easter. The flowers are beautiful in bloom in this period. In the United States, the Syringa is the official state flower of New Hampshire. Because of the early flowering, the flowers symbolize spring and regeneration. White Syringa symbolizes purity and innocence. The famous lilac color stands for first love and spirituality.

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Which types of Syringa are available?

Syringa comes in different shades of lilac, purple-pink, and white. The flowers have two or four plumes on every branch. The most popular Lilac wholesale varieties are Syringa Mme. Stepmann (white), Syringa Lavaliensis (light purple), and Syringa Dark Koster (purple).

When is Syringa in season?

The season is weather-dependent, but can start in October and ends around Mother’s Day.

Popular Syringa varieties