Introduced by Lemoine, 1916.
Double white.
‘Edith Cavell’ is a beautiful, mid-season blooming white lilac. The double flowers are very fragrant. ‘Edith Cavell’ has large, heart-shaped leaves that are very dark in color. It is one of most vigorous-growing white lilacs. The plant grows to 8’ – 10’ tall by 4’ – 5’ wide.
Lemoine named ‘Edith Cavell’ after Edith Louisa Cavell [1865-1915], a British army nurse executed by the German military during World War I. She was Matron of the Berkendael Institute in Brussels. When Brussels fell to the Germans, Cavell was allowed to stay on. Regardless of nationality, Edith provided the best treatment she could to the injured.
During this time, Cavell had been using the hospital to help Allied escapees avoid the German forces. She was caught, and made a full confession. She was then sentenced to death by firing squad. She was executed on October 12th, 1915.