A lilac is a flowering shrub known for its clusters of small, fragrant purple or white flowers that bloom in spring. The bushes can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching fifteen feet, and their sweet scent is so distinctive that people often recognize lilacs by smell before they even see them.

The word also describes a soft purple color, like the shade of those classic lilac blossoms. When someone says a room is painted lilac, they mean a gentle, pale purple that's lighter than violet but richer than lavender.

Lilacs originally came from Eastern Europe and Asia but now grow throughout much of North America. They're especially beloved because they signal that winter is truly over: when the lilacs bloom, warm weather has arrived. The flowers only last a couple of weeks each spring, which makes them feel even more special. Many people cut branches to bring indoors, filling their homes with that memorable fragrance.

The bushes themselves are hardy and long-lived. Some lilac bushes growing near old farmhouses or abandoned settlements are over a hundred years old, still blooming faithfully each spring long after the buildings have fallen into ruin.