Lilac vulgaris, both white and purple, were brought from Europe in the early 1700’s. We have been told that both were probably planted in about 1750, in Portsmouth, NH in the Governor Wentworth estate. Both of these are commonly found in old homesteads throughout New England and we found them on our property when we moved to Marshfield, VT. Both have a noticeable fragrance. When customers, especially older customers, ask for “old fashioned white and purple lilacs like my grandmother…great grandmother probably grew….” our guess is this is what they are looking for.