Louisa Yeomans King on Species Lilacs (1905)
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
May 25, 1905
In her diary later collected in The Flower Garden Day by Day, Louisa Yeomans King urged gardeners toward the interesting — and toward autumn color — when choosing lilacs.
MAY 25. Species lilacs are wonderfully interesting.
If there is room, get a few of these;
if there is no room, get one or two,
and if there is room for but one, get Syringa sweginzowi superba, or Syringa oblata for its crimson leaves in October, the only lilac to color so.
One plant, well chosen, can educate the eye for years; King’s short list remains an excellent beginning.
Louisa Yeomans King aka Mrs. Francis King
Louisa Yeomans King portrait
Marker honoring Louisa Yeomans King at the National Arboretum Dogwood Collection.
