LILACS 
As my father, the late A. B. Franklin, owner of the Franklin 
Nursery, grew older peonies claimed all his attention and he neglected 
his fine collection of lilacs. He had imported about 30 varieties from 
Lemoine of Nancy, France, had added as many more from American 
dealers and growers and had tried to produce some new good varities 
himself. One which he originated was outstanding, a dark red single 
named Mrs. Coolidge. 
I am very fond of lilacs, and seeing them neglected was too much 
for me so I purchased them from my father and he let me continue 
to grow them on the nursery grounds. Since 1940 I have been listing 
lilacs for sale. 
Two lilac species are offered: Syringa vulgaris represented by 
over 55 named varieties, the so-called French Hybrids, and S. Hya- 
cinthaflora, the Giraldi Hybrids. 
The French Hybrids are really not hybrids at all, but improved 
varieties of the common lilac, S. vulgaris, a native of the mountainous 
parts of Asia, introduced into cultivation in Europe before 1560. It 
was cherished by our forefathers and brought by the first settlers to 
America, where it was common in New England dooryards. Wash- 
ington planted “lilaks” at Mount Vernon where they are still to be 
seen. 
The French Hybrids are improved varieties for your modern 
garden. They are big, showy, sweet scented in many variations of 
color and form. No waiting 8 to 9 years now for a bush to bloom, 
for the French Hybrids usually bloom the second or third year. Even 
plants six inches high have bloomed in the nursery. One of the most 
beautiful sights these new varieties afford is their large showy bloom 
on small plants. They have not lost the hardiness of the common 
lilac and have better habits of growth and do not spread as freely. 
All the lilacs listed are on their own roots, and have not been 
budded or grafted. Grafted stock often fails to form roots of its own 
and does not do well because of an indequate root system. Own-root 
lilac shoots add to the plant’s bushiness, will replace the older stems, 
and form a new bush if the top is destroyed. 
Lilacs offered here are easy to grow. They have an adequate 
root system and branches of clean, new wood. They need good gar- 
den soil, slightly alkaline, and a sunny well-drained location. They 
will need comparatively little care, are a permanent addition to your 
plantings and will return a hundred-fold what little care you give 
them. 
