My Colorful and Fragrant Lilacs
Among the most fragrant blooms of spring are the colorful lilacs, Syringa vulgaris. My allée of lilac hedges is just exploding with gorgeous, sweet-smelling clusters.
I love lilacs and have enjoyed growing them for many years. In fact, the common lilac has been part of the American landscape for centuries. Lilacs planted in 1650 on Michigan’s Mackinac Island are some of the oldest known in the country. If you don't already have lilacs in your garden, I encourage you to grow one, or two, or even three shrubs - they will give you years of beautiful blooms.
Enjoy these photos.
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- I planted this allée of lilac more than 15-years ago and it has thrived ever since. It is located behind my chicken coops not far from my tennis court. Lilacs are easy to grow, and can reach from five to 20-feet tall or more depending on their variety.
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- The lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is a species of flowering plant in the olive family Oleaceae. Syringa is a genus of up to 30-cultivated species with more than one-thousand varieties.
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- Lilacs come in seven colors: pink, violet, blue, lilac, red, purple, and white.
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- The bold lilac colors look pretty against the vibrant green foliage. Lilac leaves are simple, opposite, ovate, about two to four inches long, and usually shaped like elongated hearts.
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- Lilacs have pyramidal clusters of blossoms with both single and double types – all with the same glossy green leaves.
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- ‘Sensation’, first known in 1938, is unique for its bicolor deep-purple petals edged in white on eight to 12-foot-tall shrubs.
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- This lilac variety is white. Lilacs were introduced into Europe at the end of the 16th century from Ottoman gardens and arrived in American colonies a century later. To this day, it remains a popular ornamental plant in gardens, parks, and homes because of its attractive, sweet-smelling blooms.
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- And do you know… lilacs were grown in America’s first botanical gardens? Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew them.
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- As part of our maintenance program, we edge the lilac beds. These beds are rectangular in shape. Here’s Pete making very straight lines along both sides. The blade of the edger can be adjusted to a cutting depth of up to four inches.
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- Over the course of the year, grass and weeds grow at these edges, so it’s a good idea to go over the areas regularly.
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- The extraneous vegetation between the cut edging line and the mulched bed is removed with a hoe or long handled cultivating fork.
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- Here is an area edged and cleared. It looks so much better. Edging the beds gives them a beautiful finishing touch. Next, we’ll add a three inch layer of mulch grown right here at my farm.
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- I always take note of what areas need filling and add plants to those areas gradually. This year, we’re adding 15-lilacs to the garden. They are all from Monrovia and include ‘Yankee Doodle,’ ‘Lavender Lady,’ ‘Betsy Ross,’ and ‘Old Glory.’
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- Pasang digs the hole for one of our new lilacs. Lilacs appear from mid-spring to early summer just before many of the other summer flowers blossom. Young lilacs can take up to three-years to reach maturity and bear flowers – be patient.
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- Pasang scarifies the root ball, making intentional cuts to stimulate growth.
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- By planting an assortment, bloom time will be staggered and can last for up to two months. Just be sure to plant lilacs in full sun, which is necessary for good blooming. The soil should be moist, well-drained, and humus-rich. Lilacs cannot tolerate “wet feet” or wet roots. Soil that is average to poor with a neutral to alkaline pH is also preferred. Established plants will tolerate dry soil, but newly planted shrubs need to be kept moist for the first year until their roots are set.
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- Most lilacs thrive in hardiness zones 3 through 7, in cooler climates with chilling periods. Lilacs are typically clump forming, producing new shoots from the base of the trunk, which can be used for propagating.
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- And always choose a planting space that will allow for the plant’s mature height and spread. This tip applies to all perennials.
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- And here’s Ryan feeding the lilacs. Lilacs respond vigorously to regular and liberal amounts of fertilizer. One to two large handfuls of a 5-10-5 granular fertilizer will enhance growth and flowering.
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- Lilacs should be pruned each year shortly after blooming has completed. At that time, remove spent flowers, damaged branches, and old stems, but never prune after July 4th because at that point, the tree has already begun to set next year’s buds.
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- When cutting, cut the lilacs right at their peak, when color and scent are strongest, and place them in a vase as soon as possible. The purple lilacs have the strongest scent compared to other colors.
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- Here’s a view looking south. Lilacs have been well-loved by gardeners for so many years. They are tough, reliable, and ever so fragrant. I hope this inspires you to grow lilac, the “Queen of shrubs.” It will quickly become one of your favorites in the garden.
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