Both bushes and trees can sprout from lilacs. You’d be excused for being perplexed if you saw a lilac in tree shape because the majority of lilacs marketed nowadays are shrubs.
Lilac bushes come in hundreds of different kinds, but Syringa reticulata is the only species of lilac tree. You didn’t see them very much before. Due in part to the fact that they remain relatively small for a tree, more and more landscapers and homeowners are now looking for them.
Can you grow a tree out of a lilac bush?
You require a little tree to serve as the garden’s centerpiece. Instead, pick a shrub and utilize basic pruning methods to turn it from a bush into a lovely tree. You can produce a unique plant that adds a touch of class to your yard when you prune a shrub into a little tree. For this method to work, you don’t even need to be an expert in plants or good with pruners.
The greatest shrubs to grow into trees are those that don’t normally produce a lot of suckers from the roots (suckers). Numerous varieties of shrubs, from floral beauties to shrubs with fall color, are included in this group. Lilac, flowering quince, panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata), and spring-blooming star magnolia are some examples of flowering shrubs that can grow into trees (Magnolia stellata).
Many berried bushes grow into lovely little trees that provide the garden winter appeal. Pyracantha, Siebold viburnum (Viburnum sieboldii), and sea buckthorn are members of this group (Hippophae rhamnoides). Another excellent shrub to grow into a small tree is cotoneaster. Choose upright cotoneaster cultivars like Cotoneaster divaricatus or Peking cotoneaster (Cotoneaster ludicus) for the best results.
Sucker-producing shrubs are the most challenging to grow into trees. These suckers typically grow in small thickets when left to their own devices. Elderberry, chokecherry, and red twig dogwood are shrubs that can produce thickets. These shrubs can be trained to grow into tiny trees; however, it could require a bit more work.
Pruning suckering shrubs into multi-stemmed trees, where you choose a number of upright stems to act as trunks, is an option. For a beautiful multi-stemmed little tree, try the bottlebrush poinciana or pineapple guava in warmer climates. Consider witch hazel, serviceberry, or imitation orange in regions with chilly winters.
Smaller plants are simpler to teach when selecting shrubs to grow into trees. Gardening isn’t just about growing bushes into trees right away. It takes years to complete the process. Start with a plant that is around a year old if you wish to train your shrub into a tiny tree with a single trunk. One to two gallons may be used for a container. When grown as a multi-trunked tree, more mature shrubs produce better results.
Prior to planting, decide which stem will serve as the tree’s trunk. Remove branches from the shrub’s bottom third after planting. Place a sturdy stake next to the main stem, such as a tree stake or a chunk of rebar. On a tree with multiple stems, place a stake for each one. Fix the stem to the base with a tie. Rub out or trim any little sprouts that develop along the trunk as the shrub grows.
Remove lower branches each spring so that the trunk makes up one-third of the tree’s height. Till the tree reaches the desired height, repeat this technique every spring. Then, reduce the canopy to three to five major branches, then prune those branches back by three to five inches to promote branching. Thin the canopy as necessary and cut off any branches that sprout along the trunk to maintain your shrub-tree.
What category does a lilac tree fall under?
About 25 species of fragrant and lovely northern spring-flowering shrubs and small trees in the olive family belong to the genus lilac (Syringa) (Oleaceae).
Zones:
The majority of lilac types can withstand cold temperatures in zones 3 to 8, although others, like Scentara Double Blue, can (S. hyacinthiflora). There are some cultivars that don’t require a winter chill, like as “Lavender Lady” (S. vulgaris), which is heat tolerant to zone 9. The majority of others do need a wintertime period of cold and dormancy.
Height/Spread:
The common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, reaches heights of 12 to 15 feet and widths of 10 to 12 feet. The majority of dwarf types are smaller and reach maturity at 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 7 feet broad. Syringa reticulata, often known as the Japanese tree lilac, grows up to 30 feet tall.
Bloom Time:
The majority bloom in late May, however there are new re-blooming kinds, such the Bloomerang series, as well as early spring, mid-spring, and late-season blooming variants.
Color:
The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) has gray to gray-brown bark, purple blooms, and dark gray-green to blue-green foliage (with no fall color change). But there are actually seven recognized hues for lilac flowers: white, violet, blue, lavender, pink, magenta, and purple, with several variations of each hue.
Other:
True lilacs, such as the California, mountain, and wild lilacs, are truly members of the genus Ceanothus. Butterfly bushes are frequently referred to as summer lilacs, especially sterile and non-invasive varieties.
An evergreen lilac tree, though?
From top left: Syringa vulgaris Common Lilacs Madame Antoine Buchner, Michel Buchner, Syringa Vulgaris Nadezhda, Syringa Vulgaris Sensation, Belle De Nancy, and Ruhm Von Horstenstein
The beautiful lilac tree has become somewhat of a rarity in modern gardens, which is ironic given how much the Common Lilac Tree (Syringa Vulgaris) has to offer. The wide variety of garden lilacs we use today, which were first imported in the 16th century, are descended from one species, Syringa vulgaris, also known as the Common Lilac.
Through the ages, literature and music have praised and praised lilac trees. Depending on the variety, lilacs are a small to medium-sized deciduous blooming tree or shrub that blooms in late spring or early summer and has incredible fragrance. The well-known lilac blooms can be utilized as cut flowers. This means that throughout May and June, you may fill your house with the intoxicating aroma of freshly cut lilac blooms, with the huge panicles being especially useful for larger containers. Back in the garden, lilac is very well-liked by pollinating species and will attract butterflies and bees from a great distance. You will be left with a small tree or shrub with lovely mid-green foliage after the flowering time is ended.
Lilac trees are simple to grow; in fact, they don’t require much maintenance and are quite carefree. Once established, they can withstand severe droughts well. Really, all they need is a sunny location with well-drained soil (originated as they did from the hills of the Balkans). You can prune them if you wish to keep a specific shape, but not in the winter. Lilacs should be pruned as soon as possible after blossoming. They react nicely to trimming and are capable of being heavily pruned. Lilac is easily shaped and can be planted as a small tree or shrub, with sizes ranging from 2 to 10 meters depending on the cultivar. Large panicles of flowers are produced.
Lilacs may add flair to your woodland garden, thrive in containers (thanks in part to their exceptional drought tolerance), or be grown as a standalone focal piece.
South Eastern Europe is the origin of the lilac tree, which belongs to the olive family. The 1500s saw the first introduction of lilacs to the UK, and they have remained ever since. However, it wasn’t until the late 1800s when French hybridizer Victor Lemoine created over 150 new varieties and everyone was required to have a lilac tree in their garden that the popularity of the lilac really took off. In reality, a Lemoine hybrid like Syringa Vulgaris Madame Lemoine, which was developed in 1890 and has pure double white flowers, is an example.
Common Lilac Syringa Vulgaris Sensation, with its deep purple-red blossoms and white edging, is another standout performer. Double, mauve-pink Syringa vulgaris Belle De Nancy flowers have a strong perfume. Large trusses of fragrant pale pink flowers are produced by the common lilac, Syringa vulgaris Michel Buchner. The Common White Lilac, or Syringa Vulgaris Alba, is a traditional garden favorite with an upright, vase-shaped appearance. The shrubs are covered in thick panicles of delicate, snow-white blossoms with a strong, sweet aroma throughout April and May. Syringa vulgaris Ruhm Von Horstenstein, another heritage variety, blooms in late spring with enormous trusses of fragrant purple flowers. From the ancient to the new, the Russian cultivar Common Lilac Syringa Vulgaris Nadezhda produces enormous, ostentatious panicles of double, lilac-scented blue blooms.
Identification hints
The dark, silky, hairless, heart-shaped leaves of the common lilac are grouped in opposite pairs, and the twigs have opposite, lateral buds rather than a huge terminal bud (so branches do not grow straight out). Several closely related species, such as the “Chinese” lilac (Syringa chinensis), have leaves that taper at the base. Syringa oblata, for example, has rounder leaves that are just as wide as long.
Did you know?
Common lilacs are loved all over the world and were consciously introduced to most sites, so if you locate one in an apparently isolated area, you are probably at a spot where people formerly resided. Lilacs come in countless cultivated kinds! The aromatic blossoms draw both humans and pollinators.
Do lilac trees develop quickly?
The lilac is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub with an erratic, rounded shape. When young, it grows quickly, but as it ages, its growth slows to roughly one foot every year. The stems’ sturdy wood has a dark gray to gray-brown color. The leaves are light green underneath and dark green to blue-green above. The clusters of four petal blooms, which come in lilac, light purple, or lavender hues, bloom in April or May. They have a strong fragrance. Although the lilac thrives best in sunny locations, it cannot stand hot, muggy weather. It requires moist, well-drained soil that is neutral or just a little bit alkaline in pH. Peat or leaf mold can be added to the soil as a supplement. As soon as they start to fade, old flowers should be removed. Lilacs should be pruned as soon as they finish blooming. Pruning the shrub is preferred since it will highlight the medium-aged wood, which will still contribute to the plant’s good size and produce nice blooms. Remove a third of the earliest stems at ground level each year to accomplish this. Any remedial trimming, like removing competing branches or sucker growth, can be done concurrently. Pruning older lilacs as small, multiple-branched trees will highlight a few massive, old trunks while removing sucker growth and making them a focal point of the landscape. The shrub can also be pruned into a tree with a single stem. Lilacs that are overgrown can be pruned to a few inches above the surface. They will bloom once more in three to four years, Depending on the mature height, space your plants 3–4 feet apart if you want a hedge.
What is a tree shrub?
shrub, any woody plant that is less than 3 m (10 feet) tall, has multiple stems, none of which are dominant. It may be referred to as a shrub when heavily branching and dense. Arborescences, or shrubs that resemble trees and grow to a height of 3 to 6 meters, are in between shrubs and trees. Generally speaking, trees are classified as woody plants that are taller than 6 m, have a distinct crown shape, and have a dominating stem or trunk. However, these distinctions are not accurate because some shrubs, like lilacs and honeysuckles, can develop into arborescences or even tiny trees when given the right environmental conditions. Some specimens of a plant species can grow into trees, whereas others, depending on the environment, can develop into shrubs or other arborescent forms, such as sumacs, willows, and spruces.
Where should a lilac tree be planted for maximum benefit?
When the lilacs begin to blossom, it is a solid indicator that spring has arrived for good. While many people only have a limited knowledge of common lilac (also known as French lilac) shrubs that can reach a height of 15 feet or more, there are now a lot more options available than there were fifty years ago. Some varieties that rebloom enhance the garden’s appeal the entire growing season.
How to Choose Lilacs
The common lilac is what you will most likely find when you go plant shopping. This traditional plant comes in a variety of cultivars and variations, each of which yields fragrant spring flowers in pink, purple, white, or even combinations of those hues. Common lilacs are typically the most fragrant variety of lilac and can grow to be rangy and large.
Rebloomers have arrived in the garden center thanks to recent introductions of hybrids between the common lilac and other shrub-type lilacs. Some of these more recent types are a little less fragrant, but they also tend to be smaller, bloom more frequently throughout the growing season, and have fewer powdery mildew issues.
The tree lilac is another common variety of lilac. It can grow to a height of around 20 feet and blooms with cream-colored flowers in the middle of the summer. Though it doesn’t require much trimming, keep in mind that the tree lilac is a tree, not a shrub.
Where to Plant Lilacs
Lilacs should be planted in full light (at least 6 to 8 hours per day), as too much shadow will prevent them from blooming. Lilacs also prefer moist, well-drained soil that is slightly alkaline.
When to Plant Lilacs
Before the ground freezes in the late fall is the ideal time to plant lilacs. After the earth thaws in the early spring, that is the next ideal period to plant. Lilacs will likely need to be planted as soon as you can locate them at the garden center, which is great; if you choose to do so during a warmer season, they might require additional watering.
How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Lilacs
A soil test should be performed prior to planting since lilacs thrive in slightly alkaline (6.5 to 7.0 pH), moist, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Lime must be added to raise the pH if it is below 5.5. It’s time to get the soil ready when you’ve obtained the ideal pH. Improve individual planting holes by mixing Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Trees & Shrubs in a 50:50 ratio with the natural soil to give lilacs a nutrient-rich start. Iron and phosphorus are also present in this garden soil to promote root development and ward off leaf fading.