Let's hear it for lilac: Tracing the history of a garden classic

Some may consider it old fashioned, but Irish Examiner garden columnist Peter Dowdall is a huge fan of this bloom

The beautifully scented white lilac is in full bloom in gardens right now. Picture:iStock

They are often overlooked in modern-day gardens as small trees but lilacs or, syringa, to give them their botanical name make a beautiful floral impact on the garden at this time of the year.

Perhaps, modern designers think of it as old-fashioned nowadays, but I’m still a huge fan of lilac.