A lilac bush is one of the best options for shrubbery if you’re thinking about adding some to your yard.
In Alberta’s climate, the common lilac (Syringia Vulgaris) will thrive. The spring-blooming blooms, which are fragrant, can be enjoyed in a cut flower arrangement or left on the tree to improve a garden stroll.
Add Some Color to Your Landscape
The flowers are available in a variety of hues, from white, pink, and blue to lilac (of course), magenta, and even violet, and may have a single or double bloom. Four petals make up a single flower; numerous sets of the same four petals make up a double. The quantity of shade, the climate (cold, hot, damp, etc.), the soil, and simply the sort of year in general all affect color variations.
They are a lovely, hardy plant that can withstand cold and drought. They should ideally be planted in a location with good soil drainage. Although partial shade won’t damage, full sun is preferable. The ideal amount of sunlight every day is six hours. A catastrophe is total shade. In the late summer, they are vulnerable to powdery mildew, so keep an eye out and take quick action.
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Since they will spread out over a space of between 6 and 12 feet, pick a big region. Watch out for overhead electricity lines as well; depending on the type, they can be up to 15 feet high. Before planting, make sure to speak with a nursery expert (not typically found at a big box store) or conduct some independent research. The attributes of different kinds vary. It is advisable to plan for the maximum area, especially if you treat them well by providing them with the proper water and food.
Your lilac shrubs can be kept at a manageable height and girth with yearly pruning. After they have finished blooming, trim them back. Early in the spring is a good time to prune dead branches, but avoid any that have latent buds. About one-third of the largest branches should be cut off once the blossoms have faded.
The plant may lose its shape and grow lanky or spindly with time. If that occurs, trim it back to approximately 18 inches in the fall. The bush will be revived as a result, but you should be mindful that the next spring it might not flower.
In the late winter or possibly in March, you can aggressively trim it back if it becomes very huge or is completely overgrown. Select the healthiest shoots and discard the others the following year. This will promote fresh, wholesome growth. The drawback is that it will take the wood three years to start producing blossoms once more. This should therefore be a last resort.
In general, lilac plants offer a lovely start to spring, especially after a protracted, difficult winter. In the climate of Calgary, they are hardy, and upkeep is not too difficult.
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When should lilac bushes be planted?
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.
What variety of lilac shrub is most common?
Lilacs are the ideal cold-weather shrubs, necessitating over 2,000 chill hours below 45°F for them to bloom.
I never would have thought to compare it to an olive tree because of its love of cold weather.
However, perennial, deciduous lilacs belong to the Oleaceae branch of the olive family. Although most lilacs grow in Zones 3–7, some can survive in Zone 2. Other cultivars that were developed expressly for warmer climates thrive in Zones 8 and 9—and in some areas of Zone 10 as well.
The genus Syringa consists of twelve species, and if you’re just getting started, our guide to growing lilacs will teach you everything you need to know about how to grow each one in your yard.
The genus was given its name by Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The Greek word “syrinx,” which meaning pipe or tube, is where the word “syringa” originates. It alludes to Syrinx, a mythical nymph who transformed into hollow reeds to flee the lusty advances of the god Pan.
Syrinx provided us with terminology for hollow objects like syringes and the sturdy yet hollow branches of lilac plants.
Lilacs are distinguished by their panicles of purple, pink, or white flowers as well as their heart-shaped, deep green foliage on some cultivars. The common lilac, S. vulgaris, is the species that is grown most frequently in the United States.
Numerous of the lilacs listed below are S. vulgaris varieties and are referred to as “French hybrids” or “French lilacs.” They are not interbred with other species because they are intraspecific crosses.
Thanks to Victor Lemoine and his wife Marie’s work in the 1870s, many of these originated in France. Between 1876 and 1953, the family introduced more than 200 cultivars thanks to their son and grandson, who carried on the family’s lilac breeding tradition.
Despite the fact that many were and still are grown in the United States and other European nations, the term “French hybrid” has persisted.
Some varieties are double-flowered for an extra-full, lush look with as many as 12 petals on a single flower, whereas French hybrids may be single flowered with four petals on each bloom.
The majority of French hybrids mature at a height of four to twenty feet. While some grow compactly and uprightly, others have a propensity to spread.
Reblooming refers to the ability of some plants to flower in the spring and then display new color in the late summer.
Additionally, Victor Lemoine crossed S. vulgaris with the Chinese lilac, S. oblata, to create what are known as S. x hyacinthiflora lilacs. These early-blooming variants have delicate hyacinth-like flowers.
Between 1912 and 1946, Isabella Preston, a well-known Canadian plant breeder, created 82 different hybrid lilac varieties. These are also known as S. x prestoniae, or Preston lilacs.
Other typical species are:
- S. reticulata, often known as the Japanese tree lilac, is a fragrant tree that can reach heights of up to 30 feet and a spread of 20 feet.
- S. meyeri, also known as S. pubescens, is a type of Korean lilac that only reaches a height of seven feet and a spread of five feet.
- The fragrant Persian S. persica is a four to eight foot tall plant with a spread of five to ten feet and is indigenous to Iran.
- S. emodi, often known as Himalayan lilac, has an upright growth habit, can grow up to 16 feet tall with a 13-foot spread, and has an unpleasant odor.
They are all exquisite in their own right, and the majority of them emit some of the most seductive aromas.
What distinguishes a lilac bush from a lilac tree?
Lilac bushes (also known as shrubs) are characterized by their numerous woody stems that emerge from the plant’s base. In contrast, the trunk of the majority of lilac trees is the only woody stem. However, your neighborhood garden center might also sell shrub lilacs that have been grafted onto a single stem to give them the appearance of miniature trees.
The choice between a lilac tree and a lilac bush is typically determined by the amount of space available. Lilac bushes come in a range of sizes and can be placed in more compact areas of a garden. A lilac tree requires space to reach heights of 20 feet and widths of 15 feet. Both require sunlight to bloom well.
In Alberta, how long do lilacs bloom?
The European species Syringa vulgaris, which is native to the Balkan Peninsula and thrives on steep, limestone slopes, is the species of lilac that has been cultivated in our gardens for more than a century.
In some areas of the nation, the settlers planted clumps of these lilacs, and you can still see them growing wild around abandoned farmhouses. Perfectly hardy, the plants have assimilated into the environment much like locals.
Many well-liked hybrids were developed at the Lemoine Nurseries in France, which is why the “common lilacs” are now referred to as French lilacs.
There is no better spot to witness a plethora of lilac plants than the Royal Botanical Gardens’ “lilac valley” for an amazing introduction to the flower. It is worthwhile to visit because it is such a short journey. The grounds enable visitors to take a stroll and enjoy a picnic. Various shrubs, including redbud trees, are blooming at the same time.
In May, lilacs beautify our estates. They are so fragrant and well-known that their thick panicles of tiny tubular blooms may be recognized everywhere. Any area that is sunny and has an alkaline, deep, fertile soil will work.
If not kept in check, the old lilacs quickly sucker and will soon form a sizable clump. Modern hybrids are simpler to limit. The flowers on the plants should be clipped after they bloom.
For the first several years, lilacs that have just been planted need to be deadheaded. After that, to maintain their shape throughout the winter, remove the weak sprouts.
When overgrown plants are pruned down to four inches above the ground, they will regenerate and grow back. You can replant buried suckers or branches by excavating them.
Lilacs are often grown as specimen plants, though certain cultivars can be planted two to three feet apart to form hedges. They can also be used as a border of shrubs.
The lilac shrub offers little when the blossoms have faded. The leaves don’t change color and hold onto their green color till the end of the season.
The advent of the “boomerang,” a dwarf reblooming lilac, has eliminated the short flowering season. It was described in an advertisement I read a few years ago as a plant that grows 1.2 meters (four to five feet) tall and produces fragrant blossoms from spring through October. The spring and fall are when the purple-pink blooms are the heaviest, while summer is when they flower the least.
Local garden centers and nurseries provide a wide variety of high-quality lilacs. The blossoms can be any colour of blue or purple, white, pink, yellow, or magenta. Height ranges from three to twenty feet. Near the 1920s, Isabella Preston created the Preston lilacs at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa. They are described as being small, spreading trees that can grow up to 12 feet tall. Strong bloomers, they come in hues ranging from pink to lavender, white, and deep purple. They don’t generate many suckers and are immune to pests and illnesses.
What does a purple lilac represent?
Despite the fact that the species as a whole represents regeneration and confidence, each shade of lilac has an own meaning. Purple lilacs stand for spirituality, while white lilacs are symbolic of innocence and purity. Blooms that lean closer toward the blue end of the color wheel stand for joy and peace. Magenta lilacs stand for passion and love. Primrose, a golden type of lilac that was only introduced in 1949, is not frequently seen in American gardens and is not believed to have any symbolic significance.
Which lilac has the strongest scent?
I had the impression that lilacs were meant for me at times. Working with my grandfather, a nurseryman who specialized in these enthralling beauties, for many hours during my formative years. The tall, pink-flowered “Esther Staley” lilac that grew next to my grandparents’ back door captured my attention the most. Like some people dream of authoring the great American novel, I once fertilized that plant in the hopes of creating a fantastic new lilac. Even though my first attempt at hybridizing failed, I still enjoy breeding lilacs. I also keep an eye on the lilac collection at the Boston-area Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.
Why are lilacs so alluring? Certainly, the approach of spring is signaled by their wonderful scent. Lilacs are exceptionally simple to grow, and they are distinctive enough to define a color and a fragrance. Additionally, lilacs now come in an astounding range of colors, habits, bloom sizes, shapes, and flowering times. Previously, they were only available in two flavors—purple and white.
There are many modern uses for these traditional plants. Species that are vibrant and fragrant may draw attention. Lilac shrubs can be arranged to create a hedge or screen. Lilacs that grow tall provide shade for a patio. Lilacs can also be underplanted with perennials that will bloom at the same time as them, such as bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) or spring bulbs.
With lilacs, fragrance is the number one priority
Different lilacs have different levels of fragrance. For instance, many white lilacs only have a little aroma. Other lilacs range in flavor from quite sweet to extremely pungent. I am able to perceive pleasant smells, yet my olfactory system seems to swiftly adapt to a fragrance. This makes it challenging to discern between the aromas of various flowers. I still grin when I smell lilacs.
I started a project a few years back to keep track of which lilacs were and weren’t fragrant. I had to find willing sniffers. Now, based on other people’s noses, I can offer fragrant lilacs with assurance.
French hybrids are the best-known lilacs
All lilacs are members of the Syringa genus, which has roughly 20 species and hundreds of widely grown cultivars. Asian species predominate. None of them were born in North America. The common lilac, S. vulgaris, with its heart-shaped leaves and big blooms that bloom around the third week of May here in Boston, is significantly different from many of the species, or wild, lilacs.
The common lilac is an Eastern European native that was brought to Western Europe before 1600 and most likely from there to North America. Named cultivars weren’t created until the 1800s. Since so many of these superior cultivars originated in France around 1900, the word “Even though many common lilac cultivars were developed in other European nations or North America, the term “French Hybrid” is frequently used to refer to all of these varieties.
Other Syringa species have some highly intriguing characteristics outside of the common lilac. Each has a pleasant scent, however some are fairly distinct from S. vulgaris.
S. pubescens, a native of China, is the lilac that is typically regarded as having the strongest scent. It has tiny, purple-tinged white blooms. The aroma is sweet and spicy, extremely unlike the conventional scent “lilac aroma
An lovely native of China and Korea, S. oblata is an early bloomer and blooms approximately two weeks before the common lilac, which it mimics in appearance and aroma. This species is well recognized for being the parent of the S. hyacinthiflora early-flowering hybrid group. The common lilac serves as the other parent. S. oblata and common lilac cultivars have been crossed by breeders to produce some lovely early-flowering, fragrant selections, many of which are disease-resistant. This collection contains some of my favorite cultivars. These include my favorite white lilac, “Sister Justina,” as well as the exquisite lilac-pink varieties “Asessippi” and “Excel.” These three generate a lot of flowers from the top of the plant to the ground, although none of them have particularly large blooms. They have a pleasant scent, and in Boston, the common foliar diseases powdery mildew and leaf-roll necrosis rarely affect them.
Because of its small, intricately cut leaves that resemble ferns, another Chinese species known as S. protolaciniata (which is related to S. laciniata) is called cut-leaf lilac. Unlike the typical lilac, it has inflorescences that appear all the way down the stem from a branch terminal back approximately 18 inches, producing a large number of tiny, light-purple flowers. Some plants can grow up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet across, although they are always incredibly delicate-looking.
Some lilacs are trees
There are tree lilacs that can grow to the size and shape of an apple tree rather of just being large shrubs. They grow beautifully as shade trees, and the second season of interest is provided by their striking bark. My garden is now bordered by a sizable, untrimmed hedge of tree lilacs that was originally planted as a nursery row.
A week to ten days following the late lilacs, which bloom around a month after the early lilacs, come the tree lilacs. They have ivory blooms with a privet-like scent, which is a related relative. Compared to the Chinese tree lilac, the Japanese tree lilac (S. reticulata) often has broader, rounder leaves (S. pekinensis). Both tree lilacs have lovely bark that resembles cherry bark, but the Chinese tree lilac sheds more frequently and comes off in strips. This characteristic makes the cultivar “China Snow” beautiful. The Japanese tree lilac has a cultivar called “Ivory Silk” that is now widely accessible. In addition to being useful in gardens, it seems promising as a little street tree.
A few are short and sweet
I’ve planted a kind of S. patula called “Miss Kim” on either side of my front door. ‘Miss Kim’ is a little shrub that reaches heights of 8 to 9 feet while not being a dwarf. Its leaves acquire a port-wine hue, making it one of the few lilacs with good fall color. It blooms a week or so after the common lilac and has a profusion of deliciously fragrant blooms.
The cultivar commonly referred to as “Dwarf Korean Lilac” is another small lilac. This lilac, S. meyeri ‘Palibin,’ though a dwarf, is a cultivar of a Chinese species rather than a Korean one. Its rarely taller than 4 to 5 foot plants have tiny, circular leaves and tiny blooms. The blooms are a light purple color in the buds, but when they are fully opened, they are white, numerous, and fragrantly pleasant. This variety can be utilized to grow a short hedge.
Late-blooming lilacs have a distinctive look and smell
About a week to ten days after the common lilacs, the late lilacs blossom. As opposed to breeding within a species, most of them are the result of hybridizers crossing two or more species and choosing their strongest offspring. To produce the hybrid group S.prestoniae, Canadian plant breeder Isabella Preston initially crossed S. komarowii ssp. reflexa and S. villosa. Others have since crossed late-flowering species with Preston lilacs. However, these late-flowering lilacs don’t have the typical “lilac” appearance or scent. Sincerely, I believe that these bushes would be more well-known if they were known by a different name. Miss Canada, a true red-pink lilac, and ‘Agnes Smith,’ with white blossoms, are a couple of my favorites.
Lilac flowers range from creamy shades to purples
Although I like purple, I grow lilacs in a variety of hues, including white, blue, purple, magenta, violet, and pink. Even the yellow-lilac S. vulgaris ‘Primrose’ exists. It is a rich, creamy yellow, not the color of dandelions. S.vulgaris ‘Sensation’ is another unusual cultivar; it has purple flowers with white pinstripes encircling each petal. I grew a tall, slender variety of lilac named “Krasavitsa Moskvy,” a Russian introduction of the common lilac, next to my back door. I’m reminded of pink opals when I see its emerging buds, which later bloom into double, white blooms.
Although lilac flowers typically have four petals, many double-flowered cultivars have also been created by hybridizers. Each of these flowers has more than four petals, frequently 12 or more. These can occasionally be put hose-in-hose, which means a four-petal bloom is enclosed by another four-petal flower. Some of the more recent introductions have all of the extra petals radially arranged daisy-style in the same plane.
What qualities should a lilac have? Naturally lovely blossoms. In addition, flowers should be plentiful, fragrant, and come in the color of your choice. And being resistant to sickness is a significant bonus.
My preferred lilacs in the past had huge blossoms. Since then, I’ve come to understand that even the largest lilac flowers can only be seen up close, and that the majority of lilacs are best seen from across a garden or even a street. The quantity of bloom therefore becomes crucial, as well as presentation. You might need to smell your lilacs from a window on the second floor if all of your plant’s blossoms are at the top. Many lilac cultivars grow so tall that single-story homes cannot accommodate them.