Oh, lilac. Just saying the word feels like a deep, happy sigh. And the best part? You don’t have to just admire it from a distance. In the Netherlands, several lovely farms open their gates for you to pick your very own lilacs. Grab a basket, round up the kids or your bestie, and get ready for the sweetest, most fragrant treasure hunt.

The Perfect Picking Adventure

Lilac blooms in spring: the picking season runs from late April to early June, depending on the weather and the variety. You’re looking for clusters whose flowers are open and fragrant, not wilted, brown or dropping. That’s the peak of their perfume power. Gently pull a branch down and cut the stem at an angle with sharp scissors or small secateurs, so you don’t crush it. A good, long stem (30-40 cm) is your best friend for vases later. The flowers are delicate, so carry them loosely rather than squashed in a bag. Early morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler, is the best time to pick.

Don’t be shy. Sniff everything. The real magic is the hunt—walking between rows of bushes, spotting that perfect, deep purple cloud, and claiming it as your own. And yes, you’re allowed to tuck a tiny sprig behind your ear.

Once You’re Home: The Lilac Life

You’ve hauled your fragrant haul inside. Now what? Here are a few ways to make your home smell like a French spring garden for days.

The Lilac Bouquet (The Obvious, but Done Right) Fill a tall, clean vase with cool water. Strip the leaves from the bottom half of each stem (they rot quickly in water). Give the stems a fresh cut, then a quick, gentle smash at the very bottom with a hammer—this helps them drink. Arrange them loosely. Change the water every day, and give the stems another tiny trim. That way your lilacs last about 5 to 7 days in the vase.

Lilac Sugar (The Gentle Sweetener) This is almost too easy, and it’s the best gift you can give yourself for summer drinks. Take one part clean, dry lilac blossoms (just the tiny purple flowers, pull them off the green stem) and two parts white sugar. Layer them in a jar. Seal and shake. Leave it in a dark cupboard for a week, shaking every day. The sugar will turn a soft lavender and taste like pure, floral happiness. Use it in lemonade or iced tea.

Pressed Lilac Art (The Memory Keeper) Pick a few perfect, single sprigs. Place them between two sheets of paper towel inside a heavy book (a thick encyclopedia works perfectly). Stack more books on top. Wait two weeks. Voilà. You now have the most delicate, flattened artwork. Frame them in a simple glass frame, or tuck them into a handmade card for a friend.

For the Flower Lover: Decoration Ideas

Lilacs are the ultimate, elegant party trick. A single, massive vase of them in the center of a dining table makes everyone stop and smile. For a more whimsical look, fill several small, mismatched jars (think jam jars or little milk bottles) and dot them along a table or windowsill. You can also gently float individual flower clusters in a shallow bowl of water as a centerpiece—it looks like a tiny, floating garden. And don’t forget: a single stem tucked into a rolled-up napkin at each place setting? Instant garden party vibes.

For the Adventurous: Lilac Tea

One warm afternoon, when you need to slow down, make Lilac Tea. It’s not a wild, crazy concoction—it’s delicate and slightly sweet, perfect with a biscuit. Only use the flowers: the leaves and stems are not eaten.

Ingredients:

  • A handful of fresh, clean lilac blossoms (washed gently, no stems or green bits)
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • Honey (optional)
  • A slice of lemon (optional)

How to: Place the lilac blossoms in a teapot or a large mug. Pour the boiling water over them. Let it steep for 5-7 minutes—no longer, or it can get a tiny bit bitter. Strain into a cup. Add honey if you like, and a squeeze of lemon. The lemon will turn the tea a gorgeous, surprising pink. Sip it slowly.

If you don’t use the flowers right away, keep them unwashed in a closed container in the fridge and use them within 2 to 3 days.