What is the best month to plant lilacs?
The best time to plant lilacs is in the fall after the leaves have fallen but before the ground freezes. You can plant in the spring, but this is only recommended if the winters are very severe. Planting in the fall gives the shrub a greater chance of survival because the roots have a head start in spring. If left to grow and spread on their own, lilac bushes will eventually only flower at the tips of their uppermost branches. Once a lilac bush is over two years old, it requires annual pruning. Removing dead, diseased, broken and weak stems helps rejuvenate the shrub and make it more visually appealing.These lilac trees can grow in Zones 3–7 and do very well in cooler climates. They need six hours of direct sunlight, and you’ll have to water them about every 10 days. Bloomerang lilac trees bloom two times per year, once in the spring and then rebloom in the summer through the first frost.Lilac growth can range from 12-24 inches yearly; depending your growing environment and conditions. They are best grown in zones 3-7. Choosing a location: Lilacs can tolerate full sun to partial shade, but prefer 6 hours of sun for the best bloom.Lilac is a tough shrub that requires minimal pruning, is incredibly low maintenance, and is great for beginner gardeners. As long as lilac is planted in an area with plenty of sun and well-drained soil, this shrub should wow in the landscape for many years, with some lilac shrubs lasting up to 100 years.
How quickly does lilac grow?
There are are many lilac varieties to choose from – some are compact and are suitable for smaller gardens or pots, while larger types can be grown as a standalone specimen in a lawn or at the back of a mixed border. You can expect lilacs to put on around 30-60cm of growth a year. Unlike the more common lilac bush, lilac trees grow taller and can make a striking statement piece in any landscape. Their blooms, ranging from deep purples to light pinks and whites, are not only beautiful but also attract pollinators like butterflies and bees, adding life and activity to your garden.Lilacs perform best in well-drained soils in full sun. Plants should receive at least six hours of direct sun each day. Lilacs planted in partial shade will not bloom well.Lilacs also like slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soil. The best time to plant lilacs is in late fall before the ground freezes. The next best time to plant is in early spring after the ground thaws.Lilacs grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. Lilacs grown in partial sun or shade will not flower well. The shrubs may take three to four years to establish themselves in a new site, but once established they can live for centuries.The large, colorful blooms and powerful fragrance from lilac shrubs may make you think they are a bit high maintenance, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Lilac is a tough shrub that requires minimal pruning, is incredibly low maintenance, and is great for beginner gardeners.
What is the lifespan of a lilac bush?
Lilac flowers last for about two weeks once they bloom. However, the plants themselves are quite long-lived, with some lilac shrubs living for over 100 years. Regular pruning helps extend the lifespan and improve the health of these plants. Lilacs grow the next season’s flower buds in early summer, immediately after the current year’s flowers have faded. Therefore, if you put off pruning until later in the summer or fall, you risk removing the developing buds. For instance, avoid pruning lilacs after July to ensure you have flowers next spring.While the common lilac usually doesn’t bloom for several years after planting, several other lilacs bloom when quite small. The dwarf Korean lilac (Syringa meyeri), ‘Miss Kim’ lilac (Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’) and Preston lilacs (Syringa x prestoniae) often flower within one or two years of planting.Lilacs grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. Lilacs grown in partial sun or shade will not flower well. The shrubs may take three to four years to establish themselves in a new site, but once established they can live for centuries. Soil pH (alkalinity or acidity of the soil) may affect the plant’s growth.Fertilize in spring with a general-purpose organic or conventional fertilizer, and thin overhead tree branches to ensure plenty of sunlight — a key factor for healthy lilac blooms. To keep lilacs looking their best, prune, fertilize and shape them almost every year — soon after they finish blooming in late spring.
What are the disadvantages of lilac bushes?
Lilacs can become bare-bottomed or leggy with age and often look bedraggled after a hot summer with leaf infections. Planting shorter shrubs or perennials in front of them can distract from this eyesore and provide more seasonal interest. Lilacs are prone to powdery mildew and other diseases. Lilacs perform best in well-drained soils in full sun. Plants should receive at least six hours of direct sun each day. Lilacs planted in partial shade will not bloom well.Fungal leaf diseases of lilac. Fungal leaf diseases like Septoria and powdery mildew can cause concern as people watch the leaves of otherwise healthy lilacs (and sometimes other shrubs) turn yellow, then brown, and then drop to the ground.Primarily, lilacs display their blooms in late spring with the duration lasting from two to six weeks, depending on the species and geographical location. Encourage new growth and future blooming by pruning lilacs shortly after their blooming season, which typically falls in late spring or the start of summer.Supply Lilacs full sun (at least six hours of sunshine a day) to be treated to the most astonishing display of aromatic blooms. Look for a planting site in a sunny spot that has plenty of good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Well-drained soil is important to keep them happy and healthy.
What is the old wives tale about lilacs?
Old English tradition holds that lilac trees were favoured by faeries. In the olden days, faeries were highly feared; wild and unpredictable, they were thought to kidnap people. By displaying lilac, you were running the risk of luring them into your home. In the olden days, faeries were highly feared; wild and unpredictable, they were thought to kidnap people. By displaying lilac, you were running the risk of luring them into your home. Negative connotations also stem from Victorian times, when heady lilac blossom was often used to cover the smell of illness and death.Beyond its mystical associations, the delicate fragrance of lilac holds the power to uplift spirits and elevate consciousness to higher spiritual realms. In addition to its mystical connotations, the scent of lilac is believed to have a profound impact on emotional well-being.Generally, common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), also known as old-fashioned lilac, possesses the strongest and most pleasing aroma of all lilac species. In fact, it’s usually the medium to dark purple varieties that are the most fragrant.
Can you buy a lilac bush?
Explore Our Collection of Lilac Bushes for Sale Explore the vibrant selection of lilacs available from Gurney’s, perfect for enhancing any garden space. Choose from a variety of colors and sizes, each carefully bred to thrive and provide beautiful blooms year after year. Lilacs are easy-to-grow, shrubs with fragrant purple flowers that bloom in spring. They attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators and make perfect cut flowers.Lilac bushes are typically smaller and more compact, making them suitable for garden borders or as standalone features in smaller spaces. In contrast, lilac trees can grow much taller, providing a more pronounced vertical element in your garden design.Lilacs are hardy shrubs that can be used as a windbreak or informal hedge when planted 3-4′ apart. Average lifespan is 100 years.Lilac bushes bloom best in full sun, which is at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.