These wonderful plants will fill your yard with delicious scent.
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.
Where shouldn’t lilac bushes be planted?
Avoid planting lilacs in areas that will receive more than a half-worth day’s of shade because they thrive in full sun. Make sure to give them room to expand when you plant them. To find out the mature plant’s height and spread, read the label on the plant.
Lilacs require sufficient drainage to thrive. The soil should have just enough moisture to support the root system while still allowing for free drainage after heavy rains.
Dig a hole that is about 8 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep to test the drainage before planting. Add water to the hole. Choose a different location if the water hasn’t drained after an hour.
Lilac trees should be planted when?
The ideal season for planting lilac plants is spring or fall. Make the hole deep and wide enough to fit the lilac’s roots, and then plant it with their spread vertically in the ground. Even if you intend to use them as privacy hedges, you should leave at least 5 feet (1.5 m) between each lilac bush you plant to avoid overpopulation.
A location with lots of afternoon sun and well-drained soil is ideal. Lilac bushes need adequate drainage, so wherever possible, planting lilac shrubs in somewhat higher locations is advised. Lilac bushes should be planted, then given plenty of water and a coating of loose mulch. Keep the mulch light enough not to hold too much moisture, yet thick enough to keep out weeds and preserve some moisture.
How much room is required by a lilac tree?
Lilacs require a lot of space to grow, so that is the first planting rule. They will want a spot that is at least seven to eight feet broad for a hedge and 10 feet wide for a shrub.
Additionally, they require at least six hours of sun each day in order to bloom beautifully. Create an alkaline, well-drained soil. When planting, add a small amount of lime, and then apply it twice a year to keep the shrubs healthy.
Dig a hole for the plant about as deep as the pot or perhaps a little deeper so you can fill the hole with compost. To prepare the lilac roots for spreading out in their new home, remove it from the pot and score the roots. Backfill the hole after placing it in position. Add a little additional compost to the soil’s top layer for an extra boost of nutrients. Thoroughly water. The majority of lilacs are drought-resistant, so once the bush is established, you can let nature handle the watering.
Can I grow a lilac close to my house?
Lilac roots aren’t thought to be invasive, so planting lilacs close to a building’s foundation poses no risk as long as you give them adequate room. The average root spread for lilac shrubs is 1.5 times that of the shrub’s width. In most cases, keeping objects away from the foundation at least 12 feet (4 meters) will prevent foundation damage.
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.
How should a lilac tree be maintained?
It’s simple to grow lilacs. Grow in full sun, neutral to alkaline soil that is moist yet well drained. After flowering, prune to keep plants from growing too long. Annual spring mulching
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.
How long does it take lilac trees to grow?
Age: Lilac plants require time to develop before they start to bloom. Therefore, a young plant might not be mature enough to bloom if you have one. Most plants begin to blossom after three to four years, while others might take up to seven.
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.
How far should a lilac bush be planted from a fence?
There are a few factors you should take into account when deciding where to put your lilac shrub for best results. These are them:
-Plant your lilac containers or bare roots at least 5 feet apart from one another to provide each plant enough room to spread its roots and adequate airflow.
For the same reason as above, try to plant lilac bushes a few feet away from a wall or fence. This shrub spreads out widely as it matures. Just like other shrubs, they can expand over several feet, so make arrangements accordingly.
-Place your lilac shrub where it will receive at least 6 hours per day of FULL SUN. This refers to daytime direct sunshine that isn’t filtered by other trees or any form of shade. Your lilac needs several hours of direct sunlight each day even if you live in the South and may need to protect it from the sun during the summer.
-Try to pick a location that is a little higher above the rest of your yard. This will contribute to ensuring proper drainage, which lilacs require to thrive.
What could I grow beneath a lilac tree?
Conifers are among the most attractive and fascinating trees in nature, and they should be included in most gardens. These shapely and statuesque evergreens, which include pines (Pinus), spruces (Picea), firs (Abies), cedars (Cedrus), false cypresses (Chamaecyparis), and many others, add year-round beauty and structure to your landscape.
Malus, or flowering crabapples, are beautiful trees that have two distinct seasons of interest: they bloom lavishly in the spring, perhaps a week or two before the lilacs, and from the summer into the late fall, they yield fruit that is vividly colored. Despite not being suitable for human eating, the fruits are essential to insects, birds, and tiny animals.
Early-blooming lilacs go great with flowering dogwoods (Cornus), which are superb landscape selections for all four seasons. With their delicate bracts that awaken in the spring, their foliage changes to gorgeous colors of gold, crimson, or purple in the fall, and their brilliant red berries draw winter songbirds for everyone’s enjoyment.
Prunus, or flowering cherries, are wonderful ornamental plants thanks to their abundance of spring flowers, attractive leaves and shape, and occasionally their lustrous bark. The majority of them bloom at their best when the lilacs are still in bloom, and together they make for a stunning flower show.
Magnolias are exceptional early blooming trees of great beauty, and more efforts should be made to combine the benefits of magnolias and lilacs. The majority of the best deciduous magnolias bloom at the same time as Syringa vulgaris, the common lilac. They both prefer rich, deep loam that has good drainage.
Most lilacs offer little interest after blossoming. Grow clematis with various bloom seasons through your lilac’s branches to give the shrub more color and glitz and lengthen the enjoyment of the season. Select a clematis variety that blooms in the middle or end of the season and starts blooming after your lilac. Probably the most common choice for climbing through a shrub is Clematis viticella.
The exotic vine known as the “Passiflora” or “Passion Flower” is one of our favorite garden plants. They are simple to produce and reward us with a long season of intriguing, bold, and gorgeous blossoms. Some of the blossoms also give way to delicious passion fruits. Lilac shrubs provide perfect trellises for passion vines because they are trouble-free climbers with tendrils that cling to surfaces. The most resilient of the passion flowers, Passiflora incarnata (Wild Passion Flower), will add vibrant color after the lilac blossoms have faded.
Lilacs go well with herbaceous peonies and tree peonies (Paeonia). They complement each other’s appearance and colors and smells and forms. Plant peonies near the foot of your lilac to conceal its exposed legs and enjoy their lovely blooms and all-pervading fragrance.
Hostas’ large, ornamental leaves go well with the lilacs’ flowering stems. On the north or west side of your lilac shrubs, plant a gorgeous bed of hostas. Some of the blue hostas might be used to encircle the pink lilacs in the foreground. For white or lavender lilacs, use hostas with golden leaves. Hostas come in an astounding variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, and they can be combined in eye-catching ways.
Daylilies, or Hemerocallis, are vibrant, spreading perennials that aid in concealing the lanky base of lilacs. Because of their many benefits, including their showy flowers, wide variety of vibrant colors, tolerance to drought, ability to grow in most soil types, and low maintenance needs, they are frequently referred to as the “perfect perennial.” They are remarkable and stunning additions to the garden where they bloom vigorously for weeks on end. In the summer, they showcase their lovely blossoms while the lilacs’ lush greenery serves as a lovely backdrop.
Lilacs Cultural Requirements
There is a large selection of companion plants that will enhance your lilacs’ best features and coexist in harmony with them. Verify that any ornamental grasses, perennials, shrubs, or trees you choose will grow similarly to your lilacs.
- Although lilacs may survive in a variety of environments, they thrive, bloom, and exude beauty when grown in wet but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in direct sunlight (at least 6 hours). To select the ideal plants for your lilac shrubs, use our Plant Finder.
- Make sure your site has good drainage. Wet feet and excessive watering will both prevent lilacs from blooming.