Lilacs have been a source of inspiration for artists throughout history; Impressionists Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet both made famous paintings depicting the beauty of lilacs. Lilacs are ubiquitous both within curated gardens and in the wild. They became a popular garden flower choice in the eighteenth century, particularly across North America, and lingering shrubs and blooms in the wild are a telltale indication of where earlier dwellings might have stood.