Is the south too hot for lilacs?
They are not recommended for hot, humid areas, such as the Southern United States. High humidity can lead to fungal diseases on the plant. Moreover, lilacs can tolerate temperatures well below freezing, though they prefer protection from bitter cold winds, which can damage their flower buds and break stems.
Are Lilacs slow growing?
Lilacs can be slow to bloom, and there may be some environmental factors that impact flower production. But the good news is that they're worth the wait. Lilac Bushes Failing to Bloom: What's Up With That?
Can you grow lilacs indoors?
Yes, you can but most lilac types are not suitable for growing indoors because some grow to 30 feet tall. When picking a lilac plant, you should look for a dwarf variety or one that will stay small. If you restrict the roots too much the plants will not flower or grow.
Can Lilacs grow in shade?
Yes. Lilacs can grow in partial shade but not in complete shade. They require at least half of the day sun to burst into gorgeous, fragrant bloom – give them too much shed, and they may not bloom. Lilac also grows best in slightly alkaline (6.5 to 7.0), well-drained, moist soil.
Where should you not plant lilac bushes?
Lilacs grow best in full sun, so avoid planting them where they will be shaded for more than half a day. Be sure to plant them with enough space for future growth. Read the plant label to get the height and spread of the mature plant. To thrive, lilacs need good drainage.
Is there a difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?
The difference comes down to the amount and placement of stems. Lilac bushes (AKA shrubs) are defined in the typical manner, with multiple woody stems coming up from the base of the plant. In contrast, most lilac trees have one single woody stem: the trunk.
Does lilac need a lot of water?
Lilacs respond best to deep, infrequent watering. Make sure that your planting area or container drains well. These plants do not like wet feet and will not bloom if over watered. Too much water can diminish the oxygen in the soil by filling in air pockets with water, which chokes the roots of the lilac.
Do lilac trees prefer sun or shade?
full sunLilacs 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.
Where is the best place to plant a lilac tree?
full sunThe ideal spot to plant lilacs is in an area with full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours per day)—give them too much shade and they may not bloom. Lilacs also like slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soil.
How big does a lilac tree get?
The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) grows 12 to 15 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. There are many smaller dwarf varieties that mature at 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 7 feet wide. Japanese tree lilacs (Syringa reticulata) can reach 25 to 30 feet tall.
Are lilacs fast growing?
The lilac is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub with an irregular, rounded outline. It is fast growing when young, but slows to about one foot a year with age.
Do you Deadhead lilacs?
Deadheading – removing spent flowers to promote new blooming – is an important component of caring for lilacs. You should deadhead lilacs as soon as they are done blooming, which will allow the plants to develop strong, healthy buds that will flower with vigor the following year.
Can lilacs get too much sun?
Like all plants, it's possible for lilacs to get too much sun, which is evidenced by curling brown leaves and dry flowers. Similarly, if they are always in the shade, lilac blooms may not open and they may be attacked by fungal diseases.
How close can you plant a lilac tree to your house?
Root System on Lilac Lilac roots generally spread one and one-half times the width of the shrub. A distance of 12 feet (4 m.) from the foundation is generally enough to prevent foundation damage.
Can lilacs grow in part shade?
Soil and Light Requirements 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. Good care during the first two or three years is also important.
What month do lilacs bloom?
Depending on where you live, and the lilac varieties you choose, lilacs can provide color and fragrance from April through June. By selecting carefully, it is possible to have two months of spring blooms, particularly if the weather is cool.
Can you turn a lilac bush into a tree?
Flowering shrubs you can turn into trees include lilac, panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata), flowering quince and spring blooming star magnolia (Magnolia stellata).
What looks like a lilac tree?
Crape Myrtle. Often referred as the Southern lilac, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is the plant and bloom that most resembles lilacs. Crape myrtles are shrubs or bushes with woody growth. They produce cone-shaped flower spikes made up of tiny flowers ranging in color from dark pink to purple to white.
How long does a lilac tree take to grow?
Age: Lilac plants need time to grow before they begin flowering. So, if you have a very young plant, it may not be mature enough to bloom. Most plants start blooming after three or four years but some may take as long as six or seven.
When should you trim a lilac tree?
As a general rule for all lilacs, they should be pruned immediately after they're done flowering in the spring. Since lilacs set next year's flower buds right after the current year's flowers have faded, pruning later in the summer or fall will result in cutting off many or all of next year's flowers.
How much sun do lilacs need?
Grow lilac bushes in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. Lilacs will tolerate some shade, but too little light can limit their bloom. They do not do well in full shade.
What kind of soil do lilacs like?
Lilac bushes prefer a rich, loamy soil with sharp drainage and a neutral soil pH. They can tolerate clay soil, though it might stunt their growth.
What causes lilacs to turn powdery?
Lilacs are fairly hardy shrubs and can survive most pest and disease problems. However, they are susceptible to several. The fungal disease powdery mildew is commonly seen on lilacs, especially during humid summers. It creates whitish powdery patches on the foliage. There are both chemical fungicides and natural methods for combatting powdery mildew. The disease usually won’t be fatal, but you should still treat your lilac as soon as possible to limit its spread. Common pests that can affect lilacs and damage their foliage include scales and borers. If you spot these tiny insects on the stems and undersides of leaves, treat your plant with neem oil or another insecticide.
What are the different types of lilacs?
There are several types of lilac bushes that vary somewhat in appearance, including: 1 'Wedgewood Blue': This compact lilac variety attains a height at maturity of only 6 feet with a spread equal to that. The flowers are contained in thick clusters of lavender blue. It thrives in zones 3 through 8. 2 'Yankee Doodle': A small lilac bush with deep purple, fragrant blooms, Yankee Doodle is a bit more cold-hardy than the main species, suitable for zones 2 through 8. It grows 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. 3 'Belle de Nancy': This variety has double pink flowers (multiple layers of petals) and grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. It blooms in late spring to early summer and is suitable for zones 3 through 9. 4 'Madame Lemoine': Blooming with bright white double flowers, this lilac variety stands tall at up to 15 feet high and 12 feet wide. It is suitable for zones 3 through 8. 5 'Primrose': Primrose is a standard-size lilac that grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide. It is notable for its yellow flowers that still deliver the beloved sweet lilac fragrance. It is suitable for zones 3 through 7.
How tall do lilac bushes get?
There are several types of lilac bushes that vary somewhat in appearance, including: 'Wedgewood Blue': This compact lilac variety attains a height at maturity of only 6 feet with a spread equal to that. The flowers are contained in thick clusters of lavender blue. It thrives in zones 3 through 8.
How big does a primrose lilac get?
It is suitable for zones 3 through 8. 'Primrose': Primrose is a standard-size lilac that grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide. It is notable for its yellow flowers that still deliver the beloved sweet lilac fragrance. It is suitable for zones 3 through 7.
Why are my lilac leaves turning brown?
Lilac leaves turning brown might be due to several factors. Insufficient water, especially for young plants, can result in browning leaves. Too much fertilizer also can damage the foliage, as can prolonged exposure to very strong sunlight. Most often, though, brown spots on the leaves are due to bacterial blight. This infection typically occurs when growing conditions for the lilac are subpar. So correcting its conditions is one of the best remedies for the disease. Also, promptly remove infected foliage to prevent the disease from spreading.
How much sun do lilacs need?
For strong bloom, lilacs require full sun —at least 6 hours—or they will not flower well. Make sure the site drains well. Lilacs don’t like wet feet and will not bloom with too much water. Plant in either spring or fall, although the latter is preferred.
How to keep lilacs from flowering?
To improve the flowering of lilacs, keep the grass from growing around them. A 16- to 24-inch circle of landscape cloth placed around the bushes and covered with bark or stone will keep the grass down. Force a winter bouquet from cut branches of lilac. Bruise the cut ends and set them in water.
What color are lilacs in the mid season?
Mid-season lilacs include ‘Monge’, a dark reddish purple, and ‘Firmament’, a fine blue. Late-season beauties include ‘Miss Canada’, a reddishpink, and ‘Donald Wyman’, a single purple. Although common lilacs love cold weather, a few thrive as south as Zone 9, among them the cutleaf lilac, a fragrant pale lavender.
How long does it take for a lilac to grow back?
It sounds drastic, but lilacs are very hardy. The downside to this option is that it takes a few years to grow back. The upside is less work and more reward, as the lilac will grow back bursting with blooms. It must be recognized that severe pruning results in the loss of blooms for one to three years.
What type of soil do lilacs like?
Lilacs thrive in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (at a pH near 7.0). If your soil is in poor condition, add compost to enrich. Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.
What is the most fragrant lilac?
The most common and fragrant lilacs are of the S. vulgaris variety: For early bloom, try ‘Charles Joly’, a double magneta. Mid-season lilacs include ‘Monge’, a dark reddish purple, and ‘Firmament’, a fine blue. Late-season beauties include ‘Miss Canada’, a reddishpink, and ‘Donald Wyman’, a single purple.
How much sunlight does a lilac need?
Plant lilacs where they receive at least eight hours of full sunlight each day.
What zone do lilacs grow in?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, lilacs do best in planting zones 3 or 4 through 9. They need cold—even freezing—winters. If you’re in zones 8 or 9, you’ll need to look for a specialty variety that better tolerates warm climates. These “warm climate varieties” include:
How many different colors of lilacs are there?
You may find seven different colors of lilacs in total, and these plants make wonderful additions to your home garden. The blooms will attract lovely hummingbirds and butterflies, and the plants themselves add a dose of beauty to any yard. The beautiful lilac flowers cluster together as they grow on a bush or tree.
Why is the lilac tree so popular?
Its blooms are fragrant and gorgeous, and the lilac’s scent is unmistakable. In fact, it’s commonly used in perfumes and fragrant lotions because it’s known to trigger pleasant memories and happy feelings.
Why do lilacs have white spots?
Too much water, or a particularly hot and humid summer, can cause lilacs to develop powdery white mildew. Although the mildew isn’t going to kill your plant, pruning the bushes is the easiest way to treat and prevent the spread of disease. About Brit Haines.
How big do lilac bushes get?
Shrubs can exceed 20 feet in height and live long lives, and even small lilac bushes will become full- to medium-sized trees in no time. Therefore, consider the size of your plant when you choose your spot. Find a place that offers good air circulation and drainage as well as sunshine.
How tall do lilacs grow?
They offer a strong fragrance and often grow up to 20 feet tall. The most fragrant lilacs from this variety include: Charles Joly – Magenta flowers that are early bloomers. Monge – Deep reddish-purple colored flowers appearing in the mid-season. Firmament – Blue flowers in the mid season.
How tall do lilacs grow?
Lilacs are a deciduous flowering shrub and thus lose their foliage in fall and regrow it in spring. Their heights range considerably, from 4 or 5 feet to 15 feet. Lilacs generally like cooler climates, but some varieties that grow in areas that range up to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 9.
When do lilacs bloom?
Because lilacs are not terribly impressive when not in bloom, plant them in areas of the garden where other plants offer interest outside of the lilac’s blooming season from April to May. Their sweet-smelling flowers are appealing to birds and butterflies.
Do lilacs need sun?
Lilacs prefer full sun, and although they can grow in partial-sun conditions, they tend not to do as well. They require at least half a day of sun, so if planting them near trees or buildings that might shade them out, ensure that the shade doesn’t extend throughout the day.
Cultivation
Health
- These wonderful bushes are, unhappily, prone to powdery mildew disease, so be sure to provide good air circulation by keeping their branches pruned. If your lilacs are not flowering, there are some tricks you can try. A frequent problem growers have with common lilacs is that they become too big as the years go by. This happens when you (or the prior landowner) have failed t…
Management
- Pruning is critical for lilacs, both to promote flowering and to ensure air circulation to prevent powdery mildew and other problems.
Culture
- The right time to prune is just after blooming is over, since these are shrubs that bloom on old wood. Prune branches to thin out the growth (for better air circulation) and to keep the height of the plants in check. In addition, cut the dead flowers off when they are done blooming. This will prevent the seed from forming and thereby promote more profuse flowering the next spring.
Appearance
- 'Wedgewood Blue' is a compact variety of lilac bush that attains a height at maturity of only 6 feet, with a spread equal to that. But the species plant can grow to be anywhere from 8 to 20 feet high. Flower color for 'Wedgewood Blue' is lavender-blue, and the flowers are contained in thick clusters.
Names
- Because of the height of many bush lilacs, people sometimes refer to them as \"lilac trees,\" lumping them in with the other wonderful flowering trees of spring. These plants should not, however, be confused with the true \"tree lilacs,\" that is, Japanese tree lilacs (Syringa reticulata) and Chinese tree lilacs (Syringa pekinensis).
Reproduction
- True \"tree lilacs\" (Syringa reticulata and Syringa pekinensis) bloom a bit later than lilac bushes. Their blooms are white, and they are not as aromatic as the flowers of common lilac bushes. But the tree lilacs do have an attractive bark, especially the Chinese tree lilac, which has a shedding bark similar to that of the paper birch.