Benning Wentworth
The Lilac Governor
It's the birthday of Benning Wentworth, who was born on this day in 1696.
Wentworth was the colonial governor of New Hampshire from 1741 to 1766.
Wentworth is vital to North American gardeners because he brought the lilac along with other trees and shrubs when he immigrated to America from England.
In 1750, the first lilac was planted at the Wentworth home. In 1919, it was adopted as the New Hampshire State Flower because lawmakers felt it was,
"symbolic of the hardy character of the men and women of New Hampshire; the granite state."
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Benning Wentworth
