Cited as one of the world’s most beautiful and fragrant flowering plants, lilacs steal the show in spring and early summer. Lilacs are actually a member of the olive family. Native to Europe and Asia , there are many varieties of lilacs that form attractive perennial shrubs that can grow up to 30 feet tall. Lilacs in the United States date back to the mid 1750s, where they were grown in America’s first botanical gardens. Of the many varieties, you are most likely to find the common lilac and French lilac in your local garden center. However, if you can find several different varieties, the relatively short blooming period of the lilac can be extended through staggered plantings. Lilacs range in color from white to dark purple with a full range of pinks, mauve and blue-violet, to wine red and deep amethyst, so finding them in a variety of colors will create an incredibly beautiful garden display.
Buying an established plant from a garden center is probably the fastest way to get a blooming lilac bush, as the plant will be past its infancy stage. Sometimes these plants will bloom the first season, sometimes you will have to wait an additional season before you see and smell your first lilac flowers. If you would like to start your lilac bush from seed, be sure to plant many starter pots, as starting lilacs from seed can be difficult. If you do succeed, it will more than likely take a few years before flowers begin to bloom on your lilac bush. You can also take shoots from an existing plant and start them in pots. You will find these shoots at the base of your mature plant. These shoots are attached to the root system, so you should dig up as much root as possible for the best success. The shoots can be transplanted when they appear to be growing well. Planting multiple shoots (four or five) in a small area will almost always guarantee growth of at least some of the shoots. Surprisingly, you can also just put these shoots into the ground and have some success with a new plant sprouting up. I have done this several times and have been quite successful. Be careful, however, not to plant bushes too close together. This will overcrowd the root systems and the bushes will not flourish as well as when planted about five feet apart. Lilacs thrive well in moist soil, but be sure to plant in an area that does not become waterlogged.
Once your lilac bushes are firmly established, they are very carefree. Cutting the blooms will in no way harm the lilac bush. Fertilizing isn’t usually necessary for established plants, but if you do wish to fertilize them you should do so in early spring. One thing that lilac bushes are prone to is a gray-white leaf residue called powdery mildew. Even though this looks quite unpleasant on the plant, it does not do any permanent damage. Good air circulation, accomplished through proper spacing of the bushes, is the best way to combat this. Pruning also contributes to good air circulation, and it will encourage more flowers. It also allows you to control the shape of your lilac bush, rather than letting it grow haphazardly. Lilacs can be pruned immediately after the flowers have faded. When pruning, be sure to remove wood that is dead, damaged or diseased. You should avoid, however, pruning too much of the older wood on your lilac bush, as the older wood is what produces the most flowers. After your lovely blooms begin to dry out, droop and fade, the spent blooms can be removed (deadheaded).
One of the definite pleasures of spring is to bring lilacs indoors and allow their beauty and fragrance to fill your home. They are a classic of springtime and are one of the world’s most beautiful and fragrant flowering plants. There is no debate that lilacs will steal the show every spring for generations to come.
©2010, KH ADAMS, Trumbull, CT
