Lilac is the Fragrance of Spring
And a recipe for lilac flower cream
But did you know that it’s also edible? We love it so much that we recommend planting early-, mid-, and late- blooming varieties in the garden, which will give you three to four straight months of flowers and bountiful harvests.
IN THE GARDEN
Lilac is a perennial shrub that needs full sun and cold winter nights for successful blooming. Hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7, the sturdy lilac can survive in temperatures as low as –40°F (–40°C)! We tend to place lilacs in the landscape as supporting shrubs, and never in a starring role. This is because once the blooms have faded (in a few short, glorious weeks), the lilac is an unadorned plain green shrub. Plant them along a sunny fence or in a mixed perennial bed as a foundation planting. Lilacs are quite carefree as long as they have full sun, good drainage, fertile soil, and once-a-year pruning. Remove suckers (new stems that emerge from the base of the shrub) and any intersecting branches in the spring immediately after blooms fade. Use garden shears to cut out misshaped or crossing branches. If unpruned, they can reach 7 to 10 feet (2 to 3 m) tall. To control height, prune back stems by one-third. Lilac blooms on old wood, so it’s important to prune the shrub at this time. If you prune later in the summer, you may remove a branch where the buds will later set.
HARVEST
Harvest lilac flowers in the morning and place the stems directly into a bucket of cold water. Harvesting in the afternoon sun will cause the flowers to wilt prematurely. Bring the bucket indoors, and place the flowers in a vase out of direct sunlight. Lilac blooms do not last long once cut. Cut branches can be used in arrangements, and the flowers are delicious in spring salads and as a gorgeous, delightfully scented garnish for baked goods and cocktails. Or use them as the basis for perfumed flower cream.
LILAC FLOWER CREAM
An ancient French technique, enfleurage is the process of extracting a flower’s perfume into odorless animal or vegetable fat. The process used here is a simple method that will capture the fragrance of spring in a jar. The cream can be used directly on your skin or to flavor favorite sweet dishes. It is best to use the lilac’s tiny blooms straight from the shrub, picking them in the morning when they are the most fragrant.
MAKES TWO 16-OUNCEJARS
32 ounces extra-virgin coconut oil
10 cups lilac blooms picked from the heads in 2 cup increments as needed
Pick 2 cups of lilac blooms. Place the coconut oil in a small saucepan and melt over low heat until it is completely liquefied. Pour the liquid into a 10 by 10-inch (25 by 25-cm) casserole dish and allow it to harden. After the oil has hardened, score it with a butter knife. This will help the scent of the flowers penetrate it more deeply. Layer the tiny lilac blooms onto the oil, covering it with 2 inches (5 cm) of blooms. Place a second 10 by 10-inch (25 by 25-cm) casserole dish upside down atop of the first one. Use electrical tape to seal the two dish edges tightly, and place the dishes in a dark area.
After 48 hours, remove the tape seal and discard the spent blooms. Pick another 2 cups of lilacs, add another 2 inches (5 cm) of flower blooms to the oil, and seal again for another 48 hours. Repeat this process three more times, for a total of five cycles with fresh blooms each time.
Scrape up the oil from the casserole dish, place it into two 16-ounce jars, and seal the lids. Store in a cool, dark place; the flower cream will keep for up to 3 years.
Classes and Events
Spring is our busiest time of year, so its no surprise that we have cocktails on our minds. Rose and I will be teaching the first of our botanical cocktails classes on Sunday, June 8th from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. It is always a fun evening and this class we will be highlighting 2025’s Herb of the Year, chamomile! We will enjoy botanical cocktails, go on an herb walk and make our own chamomile bitters to bring home (see below for more information). Hope you are all enjoying spring and having an opportunity to get out in a garden - Stefani
2025 Design Intensives with Homestead Design Collective, Morningsun Herb Farm & Soul Food Farm
April 16, 2025 The Cut Flower Garden: Design, Plants & Arrangement at Soul Food Farms in Vacaville, Ca 10am -12:30pm
Whether you’re looking to add a cutting garden to your existing landscape or start from scratch, this class will give you the tools to grow your own fresh flowers and create beautiful arrangements to enjoy in your home. Join us for a fun, informative, and creative gardening experience!
What you’ll learn:
Designing a Cut Flower Garden: Learn how to design a garden that prioritizes beauty, practicality, and a continuous supply of blooms. We’ll guide you through the best layouts for easy harvesting and maximizing visual impact.
Choosing Plants for Palette & Fragrance: Explore a variety of flowers and plants to create a harmonious color palette that suits your style. We’ll discuss how to select flowers for both visual appeal and fragrance, ensuring your garden is a sensory delight.
Arranging & Caring for Cut Flowers: Learn the art of flower arrangement, from simple bouquets to more elaborate designs. We’ll also cover essential care tips for extending the life of your cut flowers and keeping your garden thriving all season long.
May 21, 2025 Tea Garden: Design, Plants & Arrangement at a private garden in Lafayette, Ca 10am - 12:30pm
Step into the soothing world of tea with our Tea Garden Design class! This hands-on workshop will guide you through the process of creating your own tranquil tea garden, perfect for both cultivation and relaxation. We’ll explore everything from the art of garden design to selecting the best tea plants, and even enjoy a delightful tea tasting to complement the experience.
What you’ll learn:
Garden Design: Learn how to design a serene tea garden that invites relaxation and enhances the tea-drinking experience. We’ll cover layout, pathways, and creating a peaceful ambiance.
Tea Plants & Selection: Discover the variety of tea plants, such as Camellia sinensis and herbal varieties, and understand how to select the right ones for your climate and garden.
Arranging for Beauty & Function: Learn how to arrange plants to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional garden. We’ll discuss companion planting, layering, and integrating seating areas for enjoying your tea.
Tea Tasting: Experience the flavors of freshly brewed tea made from your very own garden plants. We’ll guide you through a tasting session, so you can savor the full potential of your garden’s harvest.
June 8, 2025 Botanical Cocktails: Morningsun Herb Farm, Vacaville, Ca 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Join us for a fun and refreshing Botanical Cocktail Class, where we’ll teach you how to craft delicious summer cocktails using fresh flowers, herbs, and aromatics straight from the garden. This hands-on workshop will show you how to elevate your cocktail game with vibrant, seasonal ingredients that bring your drinks to life.
What you’ll learn:
Choosing Garden Ingredients: Discover how to select and harvest flowers, herbs, and aromatics from your garden, such as lavender, mint, basil, and edible blooms, to create unique and flavorful cocktails.
Mixing & Crafting Cocktails: Learn the techniques of mixing and crafting cocktails that highlight the fresh, aromatic flavors of your garden ingredients. We’ll guide you through several recipes, from refreshing mojitos to fragrant herbal spritzers.
Garnishing & Presentation: Explore the art of garnishing with garden-grown flowers and herbs to create visually stunning drinks. We’ll show you how to use simple touches to elevate your cocktail presentation.
Pairing & Flavor Balancing: Understand how to balance flavors and pair ingredients for a perfectly harmonious cocktail. You’ll leave with a better understanding of how to mix your favorite summer spirits with nature’s finest.
Whether you’re an aspiring mixologist or just love a good summer drink, this class will provide you with the skills and inspiration to bring the essence of your garden into every glass. Join us for an evening of creativity, great company, and the best of botanical cocktails!
This class will be held at Morningsun Herb Garden from 5:30PM - 7:30PM in Vacaville, California. Participants must be 21 years and older.
Homegrown Harvest: A Guide to Growing Your Own Food
April 17 Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes —Lafayette, CA Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this course offers invaluable insights into selecting the perfect tomato varieties, preparing your soil, and implementing effective planting techniques.
August 7: The Fall/Winter Garden — Lafayette, CA Learn how to plant garlic, cover crops, and cool-season vegetables for your fall and spring edible garden.
Herbal Magic: Cannabis & Herbal Gardening
May 22 Summer Herbs & Cannabis: Companion Planting and Care — Lafayette, CA Dive into the world of synergistic gardening with our specialized class, "Summer Herbs & Cannabis: Companion Planting and Care." This class is designed for gardeners looking to optimize their green spaces through the art of companion planting, focusing on the harmonious cultivation of annual and perennial herbs, including cannabis. You’ll be equipped with the skills to create a thriving garden that leverages the natural benefits of plant relationships.
September 18 Harvesting Excellence: Final Care for Herbs and Cannabis — Lafayette, CA This hands-on course is designed for gardeners who want to master the final stages of the growing cycle and ensure that their herbs and cannabis are harvested and processed with precision and care.
November 13 Kitchen Alchemy with Herbs and Cannabis — Lafayette, CA. Join Penny and Stefani in the kitchen as we use the garden's bounty in bespoke creations in the kitchen. This is what the summer herb garden was heading for all season! We become kitchen alchemists as we transform our harvested herbs into tisane, tincture, infused oil, salve, and delicious beverages and edibles. Penny will offer instruction on the unique properties of cannabis for health and wellness as we include it in the herbal ingredients in our creations. Come prepared to learn by doing as we make several favorite herbal recipes for mind, body and soul.
Thank you, I didn’t know you could eat lilac flowers. I’ll add them to my edible flower list.