What is the difference between lilac and Syringa?
It is helpful to know lilac’s genus latin name is Syringa (sounds like sur-RING-ga). We grow a few main types of Syringa. Within each type, there are then many cultivars, or varieties bred for selective traits like color or height. A cultivar is noted by ‘ ‘ around its name, ie: Syringa vulgaris ‘Yankee Doodle’. Syringa vulgaris aka common lilac: Light purple flowers. Syringa vulgaris ‘Adelaide Dunbar’: Deep purple buds open to double paler purple flowers. French lilac. Syringa vulgaris ‘Agincourt Beauty’: Very large, deep purple flowers.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.Persian lilac (Syringa persica) can grow to a height of 10 feet. The fragrant flowers are a pale lilac color and are about half the size of those of the common lilac. The leaves are narrow on drooping branches.Water infused with lilacs tastes just like that beautiful lilac scent – how delicious is that? Yes, you can literally drink up a bouquet of spring flowers. Don’t miss out on this amazing flavor experience any longer! Plus, this is water that is so beautiful it can be a centerpiece for your next spring gathering.
What is lilac used for?
Lilacs are edible; try making lilac sugar, use them to accent your favorite baked goods or add to a floral spring cocktail! Wood from lilac trees is used to make musical instruments, knife handles, and more! Lilac bushes can live for more than 100 years. Most varieties only flower for about three weeks in the spring. 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.Lilacs are totally edible, part of the olive family. The flowers are oil-free, making their essence impossible to distill.If you choose to transplant lilacs into the garden, select an open area that offers both sun exposure and soil with good drainage. Mix compost into the soil in the planting area, then plant cuttings a few inches deeper than they were growing. Backfill the hole, tamp down the soil, and water well.The benefit of deadheading lilacs is purely aesthetic unless a plant is under stress, which will prevent the expenditure of plant energy into seed production that will otherwise contribute to plant defence and its energy reserves.
Are lavender and lilac the same?
Lilac and lavender are two different colors. They are both pale shades of purple but lilac has a pink tint to it, while lavender has a blue tint. Known for their wonderfully intoxicating scent, lilacs offer numerous benefits for skin health and overall well-being. From lilac tea to lilac essential oil, these blossoms are packed with anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe minor skin irritations and muscle aches.In European folk medicine, for instance, the lilac plant has been used to treat ailments such as joint and tooth pain, bronchial or gastrointestinal issues, and wounds. There’s crossover in Asian traditional medicine, where the lilac has served as treatment for bronchial issues and tooth pain.Lilacs are totally edible, part of the olive family. The flowers are oil-free, making their essence impossible to distill.The lavender plant is known for its distinct aroma and is frequently used in essential oils for its calming and soothing properties. It has a more herbaceous, clean scent. Lilac, meanwhile, has a sweeter, more intense floral fragrance that isn’t typically used in essential oils but is highly prized in perfumes.
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. 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.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.These lovely plants are relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in various climates. They typically bloom in late spring to early summer. One of the best things about lilacs is their intoxicating scent. Their sweet fragrance wafts through the air, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden.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.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.