Syringa vulgaris ultimately for the plants, was Pietro Andrea Mattioli, as one can tell from a unique copy of Tradescant's plant list in his Lambeth garden, an adjunct of his "Musaeum Tradescantianum"; it was printed, though probably not published, in 1634: it lists "Lilac Matthioli". That Tradescant's "lilac of Mattioli's" was a white one is shown by Elias Ashmole's manuscript list, "Trees found in Mrs Tredescants Ground when it came into my possession" (1662): "Syringa alba". In the American colonies, lilacs were introduced in the 18th century. Peter Collinson, F.R.S., wrote to the Pennsylvania gardener and botanist John Bartram, proposing to send
William A. Harris Garden growing stronger every day. As the years passed, founder William Harris lovingly planted more and more, and the small corner soon turned into a green patch, eventually blossoming into what it is today: a thriving community garden overflowing with vegetables, flowers, and love.Currently managed by his daughters the garden has become a community treasure. Neighbors and community members of all ages chip in to help plant, water, and care for the plants. Although the garden sits atop the City’s water supply, the water used for maintaining the garden comes through natural means by a tank that stores nearly 1,000 gallons