
Can a lilac plant live indoors?
One reason why lilacs don’t grow well indoors is that they need at least 6 hours of sun daily. You may have some success growing miniature varieties of lilac near your home if you plant them in containers. This can brighten up your front door, porch, or decking.
How to plant, grow and care for Lilac?
Plant lilacs where they receive at least eight hours of full sunlight each day. Use soil that will drain well, preferably with a lower level of nitrogen and a slightly acidic pH level. Prune bushes over three years old during the late spring, after the blooms are gone for the season.
Do lilacs need full 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.
How to grow lilac indoor?
To propagate lilac bushes, take the following steps:
- Clip a few lilac cuttings from the branches of new growth in the early Spring.
- Make sure to cut the clippings in the morning. ...
- Clip 4 to 6 inches from the new growth.
- Strip the leaves of the cutting from the bottom, leaving only a couple of leaves on top.
- Get a ceramic or terracotta pot with all-purpose potting soil and sand. ...

Is lilac a bush or a plant?
shrubThe common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is well-loved for its toughness, reliability, and fragrance. In fact, lilacs are so tough that they can grow for 100+ years, often outliving the homes they were planted around. This deciduous multi-stemmed shrub (or small tree) has about 10 canes and produces flowers at eye-level.
What plant family are lilacs in?
OlivesSyringaceaeLilac/Family
Is lilac a tree or a vine?
Tree lilacs can grow up to 25 feet (7.6 m.) high and have a tree-like appearance, but their many stems tend to get them classified as bushes. They are not technically trees, but they get big enough that you can treat them as if they are.
What type of flower is a lilac?
Syringa (lilac) is a genus of 12 currently recognized species of flowering woody plants in the olive family (Oleaceae), native to woodland and scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia, and widely and commonly cultivated in temperate areas elsewhere.
How poisonous is lilac?
Lilacs do not contain any chemicals or toxins that will poison humans or animals and they do not irritate the skin. Lilacs are free of poisons from the tips of their branches to the ends of their roots. In fact, the flowers of the lilac are actually edible.
What do purple lilacs symbolize?
Although the species stands for renewal and confidence overall, each color of lilac has its own specific meaning. White lilacs represent purity and innocence, while purple lilacs symbolize spirituality. If the blooms edge more on the blue side of the color wheel, they symbolize happiness and tranquility.
Can you make 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). Many berried shrubs make beautiful small trees and add winter interest to the garden.
Where do lilacs grow best?
full sunWhere to Plant Lilacs. The 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 long do lilac bushes live?
Lilacs are relatively long-lived plants (25 years to 50+ years) depending on how they have been cared for and their growing conditions.
What are lilacs good for?
Medicinally, lilac leaves and flowers have traditionally been considered a tonic, a febrifuge (meaning they can help lower a fever), a vermifuge (to expel worms and parasites) and an antiperiodic (preventing the return of a disease), and it has been used in the treatment of malaria.
Are lilacs annuals or perennials?
perennialThe common lilac, (Syringa vulgaris) is a perennial flowering shrub that produces full purple, pink, or white blooms. Despite being a reliable bloomer, it is not uncommon for lilac bushes to suddenly stop blooming.
Are lilac and lavender the same?
The main difference between lavender and lilac (colors) is that the lavender is a pale purple with a bluish tinge while the lilac is as a pale purple with a pinkish tinge. Lavender and lilac are two shades of purple and violet. They are very similar to each other and many people often confuse these two shades.
Is lilac and lavender the same?
The main difference between lavender and lilac (colors) is that the lavender is a pale purple with a bluish tinge while the lilac is as a pale purple with a pinkish tinge. Lavender and lilac are two shades of purple and violet. They are very similar to each other and many people often confuse these two shades.
What is another name for a lilac tree?
Syringa vulgaris, the lilac or common lilac, is a species of flowering plant in the olive family Oleaceae, native to the Balkan Peninsula, where it grows on rocky hills.
Is a lilac a monocot or dicot?
Question: Are lilacs considered monocots or dicots? Quick Answer: Lilacs are classified as monocots.
What is the scientific name for lilac?
SyringaLilac / Scientific name
What are the leaves of a lilac?
The leaves are usually simple with entire margins, though the leaves of some species are lobed or compound. The small four-petalled flowersare borne in large oval clusters. The fruitis a leathery capsule.
How tall is a lilac?
The common lilac reaches a height of approximately 6 metres (20 feet) and produces many suckers (shoots from the stem or root). It may be grown as a shrub or hedge or, by clearing away the suckers, as a small tree. Flowers of the purple, or common, lilac ( Syringa vulgaris ).
What is the flower of purple?
Flowers of the purple, or common, lilac (Syringa vulgaris).
How tall is a Persian Lilac?
The weaker-stemmed Persian lilac ( S. persica ), ranging from Iran to China, droops over, reaching about 2 metres (6.5 feet) in height. Its flowers usually are pale lavender, but there are darker and even white varieties. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now.
How tall is a shrub?
Shrub, any woody plant that has several stems, none dominant, and is usually less than 3 m (10 feet) tall. When much-branched and dense, it may be called a bush. Intermediate between shrubs and trees are arborescences, or treelike shrubs, from 3 to 6 m tall. Trees are generally defined…. tree.
What is the name of the olive tree?
Oleaceae, the olive family, belonging to the order Lamiales and named for the economically important olive tree (species Olea europaea ). A number of plants in the family are of economic or aesthetic importance: the olive tree is the source of olives and olive oil; the ashes (genus Fraxinus) are noted….
Is a lilac a cross?
The Chinese, or Rouen, lilac ( S. chinensis) is a thickly branched hybrid, a cross of the Persian and common lilacs. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello, Assistant Editor.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
What color are lilac trees?
There are hundreds of varieties of lilac trees and shrubs for your garden landscape. Lilac trees have various colors, including pure white, dusty pink, vibrant magenta flowers, and various shades of purple. Some of the most spectacular lilac trees have clusters of multicolored flowers.
How tall is a lilac tree?
Common lilac is a large shrub or small tree in the genus Syringa and the olive family Oleaceae. A lilac shrub-like tree grows 8 to 16 ft. (2.4 – 5 m) tall and 6 to 12 ft. (1.8 – 3.6 m) wide. This fast-growing tree has a vase-shaped or round crown, and the dense foliage provides shelter and shade.
What Do Lilac Tree Flowers Smell Like?
Lilac flowers give off a strong, sweet fragrance that fills the air. The deep, rich floral aromas have hints of vanilla and are like the fragrance of roses. However, if the scent of lilac is too over-powering, then some lilac cultivars have little or no scent.
Why do the leaves on my lilac tree look like they have been scorched?
Suppose the leaves on your beautiful lilac tree look like a blowtorch has scorched them. In that case, it’s probably lilac bacterial blight. The bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. Syringae causes severe leaf wilt and browning. The best way to deal with this infection is to remove all affected twigs and foliage and destroy them.
What are lilac borers?
Lilac borers are destructive when they are in the larval stage as long caterpillars. The hungry grubs feast on woody parts of lilac trees. You may notice signs of lilac borers as piles of sawdust on the ground, small holes in branches, and yellowing leaves.
How many petals does a lilac have?
The attractive lilac flowers are conical blooms made up of highly fragrant individual flowers. Each tiny flower has four to five petals. Lilac blooms measure between 6” and 8” (15 to 20 cm) long.
How long do lilac trees bloom?
Lilac trees bloom in late spring, and the blooms last for up to four weeks. Their large heart-shaped leaves and dense foliage can provide an ideal privacy fence. Lilac trees are also relatively easy to care for once established in the landscape.
What is the name of the lilac shrub that has a stop and stare?
Sensation is another popular cultivar of the common lilac. The bicolor flowers of this variety live up to their name, providing gardeners with a stop-and-stare (and smell) specimen for the back of the spring border. If your shrub produces branches with non-variegated flowers, prune those out so the plant doesn't revert to solid purple flowers.
How tall does a Korean lilac grow?
Unlike the common lilac, which can be a chore to keep pruned, the Korean lilac is a smallish shrub that grows to no more than 8 feet high. The 'Palibin' cultivar is an even shorter plant, at 5 feet high, but its 7-foot spread creates enough heft for use in a spring border without overwhelming the average suburban lot. The dense growth habit makes it a good candidate for a hedge, too. The flowers are pale pink, blooming in April and May. As a bonus, the shrubs are resistant to mildew.
How big do Littleleaf Lilacs get?
They're shorter, wider shrubs than the common lilac, and the 'Superba' cultivar is even broader, growing to 14 feet wide while remaining only about 7 feet high . It has a number of additional advantages, including more petite leaves; lush, rosy-pink flowers; a small rebloom in summer and fall; and better resistance to powdery mildew. This is the rare lilac that offers full season appeal.
Why plant a lilac bench?
If you've been looking for a reason to purchase a garden bench, plant a 'Katherine Havemeyer' lilac because you will want to sit near it. The lush, flower panicles are as appealing to touch as they are to smell. Sitting beneath its May blossoms while you sip a cup of tea feels positively decadent. This is another common lilac cultivar, but it has a particularly long bloom period. It pairs well with clematis vines growing up through its branches. This variety has light green, heart-shaped leaves and produces very fragrant lavender-purple blooms that fade to pink as they mature.
How long does it take for a lilac to grow?
Prune off all side shoots on a young shrub to a strong central leader, and maintain this shape with annual pruning after flowering. It's a fairly slow-growing variety, requiring 10–20 years to achieve its full size.
What is an anndenken an lilac?
Andenken An Louis Spaeth (Syringa vulgaris 'Andeken an Louis Spaeth') Neil Holmes / Getty Images. This cultivar of the common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, which is sometimes sold by its translated name, 'Souvenir of Louis Spaeth', is a beautiful shrub with purple-red flowers that appear in May.
What is a sucker lilac?
Suckers are vigorous vertical growth originating from the roots or lower main stem of a plant. This can be an advantage if you want the lilac to spread and become a screening thicket, but otherwise you'll need to regularly remove the suckers if you want the shrub to remain confined. 01 of 14.
What is a lilac plant?
Lilacs ( Syringa vulgaris) are striking specimen plants with their early-blooming lacy blossoms that exude a sweet perfume. You’ll find cultivars with blue, pink, purple and other color blossoms. However lovely the flowers are, the shrub’s short blooming season can be disappointing. Careful selection of lilac bush companions in the garden can help fill the gap. For tips on what to plant with lilac bushes, read on.
What are some good companion plants for lilacs?
You’ll find many attractive spring bulbs to fill up the area near your lilac bush as lilac companion plants. Bulb plants like daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinth and peonies multiply and naturalize. Plant enough of them and you’ll ...
When do lilacs bloom?
You can use other lilac bushes to great advantage. While in yesteryear, all lilacs bloomed in spring, these days you can find cultivars that bloom at different periods. Pick shrubs that blossom at different times so that you can have several months of lilacs instead of only several weeks.
Can a lilac tree be planted beside a trellis?
Placed beside each other in your backyard, they make a fabulous spring display. For more adventurous companion planting with lilacs, allow your lilac tree to serve as a trellis for light vines. If you plant a lightweight vine like clematis, it can scale your lilac without hurting it.
Do lilac bushes make good trellises?
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. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 11/18/20. Read more about Lilac Bushes.

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.