Where is the best place to plant a lilac bush?
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 quickly do lilacs grow?
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. The stems are dark gray to gray-brown, and the wood is strong.
Is it hard to grow lilac bushes?
Lilacs are among the most carefree of all shrubs. Their needs are simple: plenty of sunlight, good drainage, fertile soil and annual pruning. Choose your planting site carefully and the only care you'll need to provide is yearly pruning to maintain a nice shape.
Do lilacs spread?
Lilacs readily spread through suckers. If you want to propagate the plant, simply dig around a new shoot and cut it from the main plant, taking care not to damage its roots. Then, replant it in a new location, and keep it well-watered until its roots take hold.
What is the best month to plant lilacs?
The best time to plant lilacs is in the fall after the leaves have dropped, but before the ground freezes. You can plant lilacs in the spring before the buds start to unfold. Spring periods are very short, however, and transplanting at this time is recommended only in areas where winters are very severe.
Do lilacs like 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.
Can I plant lilac next to House?
Lilac roots aren't considered invasive and as long as you leave enough space between the tree, or shrub, and the structure, there is little risk from planting lilacs near foundations. Lilac roots generally spread one and one-half times the width of the shrub.
Will lilacs bloom the first year?
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. The blooms for the first few years will be sparse but should increase with time.
Is lilac poisonous to dogs?
Lilacs do not contain any chemicals that will poison animals or humans, nor do they irritate the skin. Even though lilac stems, leaves, and flowers pose no health threat to dogs, it is a good idea to keep your dog from chewing on the plant. Too much roughage may upset the digestive system in your pet.
Do lilacs need a lot of water?
Watering your lilac plant is recommended once every 10 to 14 days from from spring until blooming ends. 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.
How much space does a lilac bush need?
Here's the first rule of planting: lilacs need lots of space to grow. If you're planting a hedge, they'll need a spot at least seven to eight feet wide and ten feet wide for a shrub. They also need at least six hours of sun a day to have excellent flowering. Provide a well-drained, alkaline soil.
How long do lilac bushes last?
Lilacs are relatively long-lived plants (25 years to 50+ years) depending on how they have been cared for and their growing conditions.
Do lilacs have invasive roots?
Lilac roots need their space as they will spread to about 1 ½ times the width of the shrub. Their roots are not considered invasive, but a shrub that's 10' wide will probably have roots extending out about 15' in all directions. Be sure you leave enough space between the shrub and the next plant or structure.
Can you keep lilacs small?
Lilacs need regular renewal pruning to thin them out and control their size. That means removing a couple of older stems every few years, Bachtell said, as well as removing dead wood. Lilacs also tend to spread from suckers growing up from the root system, which may need to be removed.
What is the most fragrant lilac?
The lilac usually considered the most fragrant is a Chinese native—S. pubescens. It has small, white flowers tinged with purple. The fragrance is sweet and spicy, very different from the traditional “lilac” scent.
What grows well with lilac bushes?
Lilac bushes also make good trellises for passionflower vines, like maypop. Maypop also blooms after the lilac blossoms have faded—large, fringed flowers—and, later, grows attractive, edible fruit....Additional Lilac Bush CompanionsMock orange.Flowering crabapples.Dogwoods.Flowering cherries.Magnolias.
Do you Deadhead lilacs?
It's wise to deadhead your lilac once it's finished blooming for the season. With a clean, good quality pair of pruners, cut the spent blooms off.
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.
Do lilacs bloom every year?
Most lilac bushes produce blooms every year but improper pruning can result in a lack of blooms the following year. The buds for the following year's blooms are set soon after the bush is finished blooming so timing is very important when it comes to properly pruning lilac bushes.
Do lilacs bloom all summer?
Do lilac trees bloom more than once a year? Most do not, but the Bloomerang lilac tree blooms in spring, takes a pause in early summer, then blooms again from summer all the way to the first frost of the year.
What is the fastest growing shrub for privacy?
American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a fast-growing evergreen hedge with feathery foliage. It grows best in full sun and is very cold hardy. It's a great choice for a privacy hedge. American Arborvitae is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8.
How long does it take a lilac bush to bloom after planting?
Newly planted lilacs usually do not need pruning for 2 to 3 years and it will take 1 or 2 years before a lilac blooms. Years later, lilac stems can grow very large and tree-like and they will tend to shade out new growth at the plant base.
Are lilacs good for privacy?
When planted in a row, lilacs can create a great privacy barrier or wind barrier. Today we're walking you through how we created our lilac hedge along our garden and sharing a tip for using landscape fabric.
How tall do lilac bushes get?
The common lilac grows between 8 and 12 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Can you grow lilacs inside?
Lilacs grow best in full sun. They will likely not receive enough sun indoors.
How much sun does a lilac tree need?
A lilac needs full sun. Plant it in a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
How long does it take for a lilac bush to get to full maturity?
There are many types of lilacs. Most should reach full maturity at about 2-3 years old.
How tall do lilac bushes grow?
In addition to color, pay attention to the full-grown height of the plant. Some plants, such as Palibin' and Superba lilacs, grow into 5 to 6 - foot bushes. Others, such as Syringa reticulata, become 20 to 30 - foot trees.
How to transplant lilacs?
Choose saplings that are at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) tall. Use a shovel to dig the saplings out of the ground with as much of a root base as possible. Cut the runners with the shovel blade to separate the sapling from the parent plant.
What is powdery mildew on lilacs?
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects lilacs towards the end of summer. The fungus does not directly harm the plant, but it reduces energy production and is unsightly. Sunny locations with good air circulation can decrease the chances of powdery mildew. Fungicide applications work as a preventative measure, but must be applied before mildew is visible on the plant.
How much sun do lilacs need?
Lilacs need full sun, so find a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sun each day and has good air circulation. Lilacs grown in damp stagnant air or without enough sunshine are prone to disease. Lilacs also need well-drained soil. If drainage is a problem, create a mound or raised bed for them before planting.
How long do you hang lilacs upside down?
Gather a bunch of freshly harvested lilacs and bind their stems with a rubber band. Hang them upside down in a cool, dark place for 1 – 3 weeks. Gently remove the rubber band when the lilacs are completely dry.
How to dry lilacs?
Fill a large glass or plastic container with an inch of silica gel. Place a few stems of freshly harvested lilac into the container so that they stand up in the gel. Fill the rest of the container with gel so that it completely covers the lilac. Put a lid on the container and wait a week or so for the lilacs to dry.
What to put in a hole before planting lilacs?
If the soil where you live isn't very rich, add some compost, bone meal, or fertilizer to the hole before planting the lilac.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 long does it take for lilacs to bloom?
Native to Southern Europe, lilacs usually bloom for an average of 3 weeks to 6 weeks, depending on their exact location, their soil quality, how they are cared for, and the weather pattern that year.
What is the best fertilizer for lilacs?
The best fertilizer for your lilacs is a balanced fertilizer high in Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. These nutrients help your lilac grow thick green leaves and allow them to bloom without becoming too heavy.
Why are my lilacs not blooming?
If lilacs cannot drain, their roots will remain waterlogged, and they may refuse to bloom. Too much water in the roots of lilac can create pockets of air and end up choking the plant from the roots up. Sitting water can also create root rot, which will kill the plant entirely.
What is the best temperature for lilacs?
The best temperature for lilac is a moderate to cool summer temperature. This can be anywhere from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot areas such as the mid-Southern states of the United States are too hot. Southeastern regions like Southern California are best.
Can you repot a lilac?
While propagating lilacs is best in a pot, repotting lilacs is usually tricky and does not yield good results. Lilacs, once planted, do not like being moved unless you are digging up lilac to replant them outdoors. To do so, simply plant them in the ground and water them until their roots take to the new outdoor soil.
Can lilacs grow in pots?
While some people try to keep small lilac flowers growing in pots indoors, lilacs prefer to be outside where they have full access to the sun and can ground their roots into the earth. This will allow them to thrive and become tall, unlike in a pot.
Do lilacs hurt sinuses?
Since lilacs are low in pollen, they do not aggravate sinuses the way that other blooming flowers might. They are also non-toxic to wildlife, so those with regular backyard visitors like rabbits, deer, raccoons, and moose may enjoy planting these flowers.
How tall do lilacs grow?
Lilac Facts. Lilac shrubs range in size from the dwarf varieties that grow up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall to larger bushes that may be as tall as 20 ft. (6 m). There are also types of lilac plants that bloom at different times. So, if you place them strategically in your garden, you can enjoy your lilac blooms for 6 weeks or more in the summer.
What type of lilac tree blooms in spring?
Lilac Trees – Japanese Lilac Tree and Pekin Lilac Tree. There are a few varieties of lilac that look like trees that can create stunning blooms at the end of spring. For example, the Pekin lilac tree ( Syringa pekinensis) produces beautiful white or yellow flowers in early summer.
What do Lilac Flowers Smell Like?
There is nothing quite like the scent of blooming lilac on warm sunny days. The light purple or pink blooms have strong, sweet aromas that seem to intensify when the sun is shining.
Can You Grow Lilacs Indoors?
Most lilac plants should be grown outdoors as they grow into large bushes that are taller than humans.
How to prevent lilac leaves from turning white?
Signs of lilac powdery mildew are white spots on the leaves that gradually turn the whole leaf white. The best way to prevent powdery mildew is to prune your lilac plants well in the summertime.
Why aren't my lilac bushes blooming?
One reason why lilac bushes don’t bloom is if their roots are in too much water.
How tall does a Persian Lilac get?
The Persian lilac thrives in warm climates and grows up to 8 ft. (2.4 m) tall and up to 10 ft. (3 m) wide. This large bush produces fragrant blossoms that are pale lilac and are between 2” and 3” (5 to 7 cm) long. This type of lilac grows best in gardens that get plenty of sunlight.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 much sunlight does a lilac need?
Plant lilacs where they receive at least eight hours of full sunlight each day.
California Lilac Care
Ceanothus are easy to grow in the right position. They need shelter from strong winds and hard frosts. Growing against a south-facing wall usually works well. Most cultivars need full sun, a well-drained soil and little to no water once established.
Types of California Lilacs
Ceanothus come in a wide variety of sizes and growing habits. Evergreen species are much more widely available, but selecting a hardier deciduous type makes sense if you have a more exposed garden. Some popular species cultivars include:
Pruning
These shrubs don't need a lot of pruning. In fact, hard pruning of the evergreen species can be problematic, weakening their integrity and causing issues. Pruning just the tips of the branches after it has finished flowering can help to keep a compact shape.
Propagating California Lilacs
Ceanothus are relatively easy to propagate from cuttings and usually produce a flowering plant within two to three years. It's best to take semi-ripe, current season's growth cuttings from evergreen varieties after flowering in summer or autumn. For deciduous species, take softwood cuttings from new growth on non-flowering stem tips in the spring.
How to Grow California Lilacs From Seed
Growing ceanothus from seed is possible, but it can be tricky, and named cultivars won't come true to type when produced by this method.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
One of the attractive qualities of ceanothus species is that they aren't troubled by too many serious pests or diseases. However, they can be bothered by scale insects, and honey fungus disease is occasionally a problem.
How to Get California Lilacs to Bloom
The abundant blooms of California lilacs are what attracts most gardeners—and pollinators, like bees—to these species. The tiny flowers form in large clusters, and the shrubs can be in bloom for around six weeks (some cultivars have an even longer bloom period).
