The lilac, with its beguiling scent, is a typical spring plant that is mainly seen in May. Read here what you should consider when cutting and planting lilacs.

The most important things at a glance

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• colors and varieties
• When does lilac bloom?
• When does which variety flower?
• Lilac care: soil and fertilizer
• Pruning lilacs: when and how much is needed?
• When to plant lilacs
• How is lilac propagated?
• Dwarf lilac for the garden
• History of the Lilac

There are about 30 pure species of the genus Lilac (Syringa) that occur in Europe and Asia. All Lilac species belong to the olive tree family (Oleaceae). Incidentally, the summer lilac (Buddleja) does not belong to the Syringa genus; unlike the common lilac, it only flowers from July.

Common lilacs, also known as common lilacs (Syringa vulgaris), usually grow in the garden. The wild form of the lilac is very popular. However, since it can reach a height of six to seven meters, it is only conditionally suitable for small private gardens or terraces. New breeds of lilac dwarf forms are therefore recommended.

colors and varieties

There are about twelve to 25 species in the genus Lilac, for example

• Himalayan Lilac,
• Round-leaved lilac
• pinnate lilac,
• Woolly Lilac
• Felty lilac or
• Shaggy Lilac.

When you think of this plant, you immediately think of the typical purple color. In some varieties , such as Syringa hyacinthiflora, the flowers shine in a dark violet. Lilacs are also available in pink, white or yellow.

In addition to fragrant flowers, the Persian lilac has particularly beautiful foliage. The noble lilac varieties (Syringa vulgaris hybrids) are dominated by classics, such as the varieties ‘Remembrance of Ludwig Späth’ with purple-pink flowers, ‘Charles Joly’ with crimson, double flowers and ‘Madame Lemoine’ with white, double flowers

When does lilac bloom?

Depending on the lilac variety and region, the plants bloom between April and early July . However, the main flowering time for most lilac species and varieties is May. When combining with other plants, the Rhineland-Palatinate Garden Academy advises coordinating the flowering times in order to show off all the plants to their best advantage.

She likes to combine early-blooming lilac varieties with ornamental cherries , blood plums or splendor. “The lilac also goes well with laburnum or roses ,” adds the Lower Saxony Garden Academy.

When does which variety flower?

Most lilac varieties bloom in May. However, some bloom as early as April or July. The Syringa Vulgaris variety, for example, only flowers in summer – usually between May and June. Summer lilac shows its blooms later, usually between June and September, which has given it the appropriate name summer lilac.

• Common lilac, noble lilac (e.g. Syringa vulgaris): May to June
• Dwarf lilac (e.g. Syringa meyeri Palibin): May to July
• Autumn lilac (e.g. Synringa microphylla Superba): May, second flowering in September or October
• Noble lilac (e.g. Syringa vulgaris Primrose): April/May to June
• Summer lilac (e.g. Buddleja davidii): July to September

Lilac care: soil and fertilizer

Lilacs are rather uncomplicated and undemanding in the care. It grows well on nutrient-rich, calcareous soil. Some varieties can also cope with weakly acidic soils. The Preston variety, on the other hand, tends to grow on calcareous clay soils.

With all varieties, however, you should avoid excessive soil moisture and soil density.

Since lilacs are heavy feeders, fertilizer in the spring, for example with an organic complete fertilizer, horn or compost , is definitely recommended. This addition of nutrients can also encourage a second bloom after the first. In addition, you can enrich the soil with humus.

What is the appropriate location?

When it comes to the right location, there is one thing to keep in mind: “Lilac is an absolute sun child and does not tolerate shading,” explains the Association of Garden Tree Nurseries. Basically, the lilac prefers a calcareous, nutritious substrate.

But here, too, you should pay attention to the variety. For example, lilacs tolerate wind. Other varieties, on the other hand, are more susceptible to brisk air.

Pruning lilacs: when and how much is needed?

With the lilac bush, you should only cut faded inflorescences at the base immediately after flowering. Dead branches are also removed. However, the lilac grows best if you leave it alone without much pruning.

Old lilac bushes can be rejuvenated by a radical pruning of the main branches. This should preferably be done in the summer, when the wounds close again easily. The following year, however, the flower fails. Because the flowering shoots for the next year are always formed during this year’s flowering.

When to plant lilacs

The best time to plant lilacs is in the fall so that they are well established before they sprout in spring. If you are too late, you can also buy container goods in bloom in spring. “However, an adequate water supply should be guaranteed in the first few weeks after planting,” explains the Rhineland-Palatinate Garden Academy. A location in full sun is also essential. “Lilac doesn’t like shade at all. Here it will develop leaf mass, but not bloom.”

How is lilac propagated?

If you want to propagate your lilac yourself, you can cut off the branches of the lilac with a spade and put them back in the desired location like a bare-rooted plant. “The properties of the lilac are then identical to those of the mother plant,” according to the Rhineland-Palatinate Garden Academy. In this case, too, the pupil must be well watered.

Dwarf lilac for the garden

The old French and Russian varieties in particular have recently made a comeback. According to biologist Elke Haase, one of the loveliest varieties of lilac is ‘Beauty of Moscow’ from 1947. “The iridescent sheen of the light pink flowers is reminiscent of porcelain,” enthuses Haase about this hybrid. She also recommends the pure white and strongly scented variety ‘Pamjat o Kolesnikowe’. “The buds sit on the panicles like pearls,” describes the qualified biologist. The purple-blue flowers of the ‘Blue Skies’ variety and the light blue panicles of ‘President Lincoln’ are also eye-catchers.

The bushy royal lilac (Syringa x chinensis ‘Saugeana’) is particularly suitable as a hedge plant. You only need to prune it every two to three years. The dwarf lilac Syringa microphylla ‘Superba’ fits into small gardens. It is also known as the autumn lilac because it keeps sprouting new buds after the main bloom in May. In addition to the autumn lilac, the association of garden nurseries recommends the very delicate and slow-growing scented lilac (Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’). These plants can also be in containers.

Hyacinth lilac (Syringa hyacinthiflora) usually flowers before the common lilac. It grows bushier and bears more flowers. The cultivar ‘Maidens Blush’ has pink flowers, but the buds are almost red. The double-double flowers of ‘Drushba’ open very early and bring the well-known shade of purple to the garden.

Are lilacs poisonous?

All green parts of the plant, the bark and the fruit are poisonous. They contain sambunigrin, a hydrocyanic glycoside. The poison can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The flowers of the lilac, on the other hand, contain hardly any toxins. Because cats and dogs are smaller than humans, even small amounts can be toxic. How poisonous the lilac is depends on the variety. The common lilac is only very slightly poisonous.

History of the Lilac

“The lilac originally came from the Balkan region,” explains Elke Haase. “As early as the 16th century, this flowering tree was cultivated at the court of Suleiman, called the Magnificent (circa 1494-1566).” From there, the lilac came to Europe through politics . “The Roman-German King Ferdinand I (1503-1564) sent his envoy Ogier Ghislain de Busbecq (1522-1592) to Constantinople.” He conducted peace negotiations with the ruler of the Ottoman Empire. On the way back he had tulips , hyacinths and lilacs in his luggage.

In Europe it quickly became popular and not only flourished in the botanical gardens. “The lilac has always been something special,” says Haase. It grew in royal and tsarist gardens across the continent. The genus Syringa was therefore also popularly known as Spanish or Turkish elderberry .

Little by little lilacs also found their way into cottage gardens, and in the 19th century breeders in England, France , Russia and also Germany improved the abundance and size of flowers, color intensity and filling of the individual flowers. With success: “In the 1920s, the lilac was the luxury plant,” explains Haase.

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Source:uslifestyler

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