Lilac mystery runs riot

Tens of thousands of visitors come here every year to see the lilac blossom. People of different ages walk along terraces between thick bushes. Some wear a mauve raincoat or dress – to fit in with the flowers. Wives photograph their husbands against the backdrop of lilac, and vice versa. Children look at flower clusters in an attempt to find a five-petal (instead of a usual four-petal) flower. If you find one, you should make a wish, eat the flower, and your dream will come true. Why? Maybe, the bitter and heady scent of lilac inspires you to dream, and you cannot but do something with your dreams, whims, and aspirations.

 In wild nature, lilac grows in the mountainous areas of Europe, particularly in the Balkans, and in China. This shrub belongs to the Oleaceae family is related to the olive tree and jasmine. Lilac likes the sun and is famous for its endurance. Wikipedia says the plant used to be known in Ukraine as “yai-derevo.”

 Lilac begins to blossom at the Hryshko Botanical Garden in May. The lilac arboretum’s area is almost 2.5 hectares. There are a total 1,500 shrubs here. This garden’s collection comprises 21 species of lilac out of the 28 that exist in nature. The very names of the varieties of the almost 90 plants are intriguing – Pink Cloud, Donbas Lights, Lesia Ukrainka, Princess Clementine, etc.

The world-famous Kyiv lilac arboretum, designed by the landscape architect Professor Leonid Rubtsov, began to be built in 1948. The first varieties of lilac were brought here in 1946 from Germany. The botanical garden’s collection is being constantly replenished with new varieties from Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The arboretum’s lilac blossoms until mid-June. So, hurry up to find your own “flower of happiness” in Kyiv’s garden of lilac.