A New Hampshire Governor’s Fragrant Legacy: Benning Wentworth and America’s Lilacs
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
July 24, 1696
On this day, dear readers, the world welcomed Benning Wentworth—a man whose legacy blooms purple and fragrant across the American landscape. Born in 1696, this future colonial governor of New Hampshire would unknowingly become a patron saint to gardeners throughout the continent, though not for his politics or governance, which spanned from 1741 to 1766.
No, Wentworth's greatest contribution to our horticultural heritage came not from his administrative prowess but from his luggage.
When he crossed the vast Atlantic from England, nestled among his possessions were specimens of the lilac, those heavenly scented harbingers of spring that have since become as American as apple pie—though neither is truly indigenous to our soil.
In 1750, while the colonies were still subjects of the Crown and revolution merely a whisper on the wind, the first lilac was planted at the Wentworth estate.
Can you imagine that moment?
The tender roots meeting New Hampshire soil, unaware they would someday become emblematic of an entire state!
The humble lilac, with its intoxicating perfume and delicate clusters, would wait nearly two centuries for official recognition.
In 1919, when the world was emerging from war and pandemic (how history does repeat itself!), New Hampshire lawmakers finally bestowed upon the lilac the honor of State Flower, declaring it:
"symbolic of the hardy character of the men and women of New Hampshire; the granite state."
Indeed, what better metaphor for New Englanders than a plant that endures bitter winters, emerges triumphant in spring, and grows more magnificent with age?
The lilac, like the best gardeners among us, knows that patience and resilience yield the sweetest rewards.
So today, as you tend your gardens or simply admire the botanical wonders around you, spare a thought for Governor Wentworth.
His inadvertent gift continues to perfume our spring air and delight our senses nearly three centuries later—proof that sometimes the most enduring legacies are those planted rather than proclaimed.
And if you happen to have a lilac gracing your garden, perhaps offer it a small birthday nod.
After all, every gardener knows that plants respond to kind words almost as well as they do to water and sunshine.
