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6 ways to use lilacs from your garden

6 ways to use lilacs from your garden

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I was invited to join some friends today for all the gardening ideas so get ready for all the pretty things and to be inspired! I am sharing 6 ways to use lilacs from your garden so scroll down to see them all.

Welcome to the third Fabulous Friday Link Party Blog Hop. The Fabulous Friday Link Party is where bloggers share their best home related blog posts every Friday. Quarterly, the Link Party hosts each invite a talented blogger who links up regularly to join us in a special Blog Hop.

6 ways to use lilacs from your garden

Growing up, my grandmother had a huge lilac tree in her yard. I used to love to stand under it and smell the fragrant blooms and clip some to bring home. To this day, every time I see or smell lilacs, I think of my grandmother. I’ve always had a lilac bush at our home and this year the boy’s got me 2 new bushes for Mother’s Day.

But did you know that besides clipping them to put in vases, there are other ways to use lilacs? Unfortunately lilacs only thrive for a few short weeks but there are other uses to make them last.

From edible confections, to using in your beauty or skin care regimen, here are 6 other ways to use lilacs from your garden.

1.) Lilac Lemonade

Lilacs add a nice floral touch to lemonade for a pretty and refreshing sip. Click here for my lilac lemonade recipe. It’s become quite the favorite over the past few years. And I think adding a splash of crisp rose goes well too!

glass pitcher with lilacs and lemonade on table

2.) Freeze them into ice cubes

Not only does this make your ice cubes or water look pretty, but it adds that light floral aroma too! It just elevates your traditional water a little bit and makes you feel a little more fancy which I am all for.

You can also use these lilac ice cubes to roll on your face to help reduce any puffiness, redness, and brighten your skin. (I’ll link my flower ice molds here, aren’t they so pretty?)

white vase of lilacs on rattan tray with glass of water and rose ice cube mold

3.) Lilac ice cream

Lilacs can be used in so many desserts from scones to cupcakes and ice cream. Have you ever made your own ice cream? It’s really simple to do, you can see some of my easy no churn ice cream recipes here. This lilac ice cream from Havoc in the Kitchen looks phenomenal and is on my summer bucket list to make this year. Click here for the recipe.

photo credit – Havoc in the Kitchen

4.) Make a Simmer Pot

If you haven’t hopped on the simmer pot train yet, what are you waiting for? (I say that with love of course). There’s so many lovely combinations you can do to fill your home with different seasonal aromas. And it looks really pretty on the stove too.  I’m sharing my lilac simmer pot here.

You can use any pot but I love this glass one from Amazon.

Spring lilac simmer pot with lilacs and lemons

5.) In the bath

Add a few lilac blossoms to your bath water and the steam will almost act like a simmer pot and diffuse throughout.

Or you could also dry some blossoms and mix with epsom salt to make a refreshing bath soak.

6.) For your complexion

Lilacs are a natural astringent making them great for your skin. Infuse some lilacs in a bottle of witch hazel, allowing to infuse for about 2 days and then spritz on your face or use a cotton ball.  It helps treat acne, fine lines and wrinkles.

Lilacs are also really good for soothing sunburns and scratches. Combine the petals in a carrier oil like jojoba oil or even coconut oil to make a lotion or salve.

Let me know if you try any of these ideas or if you have any other favorite ways to use lilacs.

 

lilac bush decorative farmhouse cream embossed pitcher vase round woven rattan serving tray

glass simmer pot for with fruits and herbs amber spray bottles for essential oils rose ice cube molds

 

 

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lilac lemonade, lilac simmer pot, fresh cut lilacs in white pitcher

 

And check out some of these other fantastic gardening ideas from my friends below

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13 Comments

  • Reply
    Wendy McMonigle
    May 17, 2023 at 12:49 pm

    Your lilacs are stunning! Love all of your ideas. and that lilac lemonade looks delicious and so refreshing.

  • Reply
    Crystal Ratzlaff
    May 17, 2023 at 1:00 pm

    Wow who knew there were so many things you could do with lilacs? I had no idea other than enjoying their scent. Thanks for all the ideas and information!

  • Reply
    Cara
    May 17, 2023 at 2:58 pm

    Wow Nicolle, I had no idea about using lilacs as a skin care regimen! Now I need some lilacs. Love how you think of your grandmother when you see lilacs. I have many things that remind me of mine, and they always put a smile on my face when I see certain things and think of her. It was nice hopping with you today, have a great week.

  • Reply
    Donna
    May 17, 2023 at 3:01 pm

    Hey Nicolle! I love lilacs for their beauty and incredible scent! I had no idea there were so many other ways you can use them! Thanks for all the fun tips!

  • Reply
    Michele - vintage home designs
    May 17, 2023 at 4:54 pm

    So many wonderful ideas for these beautiful flowers! It makes me sad I can’t grow them in Texas!

  • Reply
    Jennifer Howard
    May 17, 2023 at 6:21 pm

    I just came in from cutting lilacs!! We might get a frost tonight and I don’t want to lose them all. Spring in the Northeast, right??!!

  • Reply
    Anna Price
    May 17, 2023 at 8:07 pm

    Hi Nicolle – Your photographs for this post are BEAUTIFUL. Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers – the fact that they bloom for such a short period of time makes them all the more appreciated. I love your idea of creating lilac ice cubes! Thanks for all the inspiration. Thank you also for including me on your Fabulous Friday Blog Hop.

  • Reply
    Diane
    May 18, 2023 at 8:55 am

    Wow! I had no idea!!! So many great ideas. I planted my first lilac bushes and sadly the deer enjoyed them way more than I did.

  • Reply
    Lora Bloomquist
    May 18, 2023 at 4:15 pm

    Thanks for the great ideas! And just in time; going to fill a bucket of water, grab my snippers and go pick lilacs in my secret spot tomorrow! Lilac and lemon simmer this weekend.

  • Reply
    Lynn
    May 19, 2023 at 9:35 am

    I absolutely love lilacs and don’t have any (yet) in my yard. I finally planed a bush last year but I think it may take a while before I ever see flowers. Until then I have to “steal” them from the side of the road :). I just love all of your ideas for using them besides just creating beautiful fragrant arrangements. Thanks so much for joining this fun garden blog hop!

  • Reply
    Rachel-The Antiqued Journey
    May 19, 2023 at 10:00 am

    Wow!! I Didn’t know half of those things about lilacs! I just know that I Love them and smell SO good. They are just starting to bloom here in MN so I have plans to go out and cut some over the weekend. Thanks so much for sharing!!

  • Reply
    Ruth@playworkeatrepeat
    May 20, 2023 at 7:42 am

    I loved reading about all the things you can do with lilacs, I had no idea there were so many! They are such pretty-looking flowers.

  • Reply
    Beverly
    May 25, 2023 at 9:33 am

    Nicolle,
    Wow, your lilacs are beautiful. I miss having them here in Florida. I have never had lilac ice cream but it sounds delicious.
    Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2023/05/decorating-with-flowers-on-thursday.html
    Hugs,
    Bev

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