Do you swoon at the scent of lilacs? It is a favorite floral scent for many and a flowering shrub that others cherish for their childhood memories of smelling it in an older relatives' garden.
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| Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC |
The lilac takes on a symbolic life of its own in a new horror film being released in theaters on Christmas Day 2024.
I attended a preview screening of "Nosferatu" on Friday, December 13. It is a remake of the 1922 classic horror film, which was based on ( *ahem*, completely ripped off) the "Dracula" novel by Bram Stoker. (Warning: The newer film is gruesome and hard to watch in many sections. It is definitely not for all.)
In an early scene in the film, the young newly married Thomas Hutter runs home in the driving rain with his hat covering a huge bouquet of cut lilacs for his new bride, Ellen. He is not a rich man, so this is quite an extravagant gesture and meant to make up for the fact that he will soon be taking a long work trip away from her. When she receives them, she screams in anguish and claims that the flowers are a waste and that they will all die. I have always found people who make this statement to be churlish and ignorant. It really is a silly assertion, given that the lilac flowers' vase life indoors is virtually the same as it is on the plant itself (one to two weeks), so why not go ahead and cut some to enjoy while they last!
The lilac is native to Eastern Europe, so it is no wonder Count Orlok is drawn to them, since they would have reminded them of the springtimes of his human youth. And that is where I have one serious issue with the movie, which takes place in 1838 during the weeks leading up to Christmas. How anyone of this time period would source a big bouquet of these springtime flowers is a mystery. It is not a plant that can be forced into bloom prior to February/March nor does it grow in southern locations where it could be imported from, because lilacs need a cold winter to set their flower buds.
Lilac, the color itself, which was named after the flower, is associated with youth and purity. In the film, Ellen wears a lilac dress and cloak and some (faux) lilacs in her hair. She also cuts the end ogf her hair and puts it into a locket for Thomas on his travels. (SPOILER ALERT: This locket is grabbed by Count Orlok and he smells the hair in it -- mentioning the scent of lilacs.)
On a side note, if you are interested in adding more "Nosferatu" flowers to your goth garden, check out this dark-purple daylily with a chartreuse-green throat. I have found no other flowers or plants with "Nosferatu" in their names. Plant breeders, get on your marks - get set - go! Find out more about goth gardening here and here.
If YOU want to grow lilacs in your garden, here are some basics about lilac growing.
We also have a GardenDC Podcast episode all about lilacs that you can listen to here.
And I highly recommend this book, if you decide you want to get serious about collecting lilacs.
Author: Naomi Slade
Photography: Georgianna Lane
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
List Price: $22.99
Order Links: https://amzn.to/3xLGGMX and https://bookshop.org/a/79479/9781423661306
Washington Gardener Magazine reviewer Tori Vandergriff wrote, "Lilacs is a jaw-dropping piece of literature due to Slade’s elegant and informative language, as well as Lane’s incredible photography. This book would be perfect for anyone seeking to learn more about the history of lilacs, the differences in each variety, and how to care for them in the garden. I would highly recommend this book to any gardener (beginner or otherwise) and anyone who loves gorgeous flowers!"
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