Common lilac

The common lilac originally comes from South-Eastern Europe, but the species has long been cultivated in gardens because of its strong-smelling, striking inflorescences. These turn white to purplish red in May. The common lilac is particularly abundant in the coastal dunes. It used to be planted in the wood edges of gardens and dune fields, but now it shades the dune soil so that native plants no longer receive any light.