A basic plant in timeless country gardens, the large panicles of little tiny, dainty-looking flowers of this lilac (Syringa spp.) Fill the springtime air with a sweet scent, a scent that frequently imitated in odor sprays and candles. These tough shrubs, grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, can last for generations with hardly any care, although some mild pruning allows you to find the most out of your lilacs. Lilacs typically bloom poorly or die if not given adequate chill in sunlight, but there are numerous low-chill varieties to grow in zones 8 through 10.
Flowers and Foliage
Lilacs can easily be recognized by their long, frequently cone-shaped panicles covered in tiny, tubular flowers. They are perhaps best known for purple blooms, but with hundreds of available cultivars, you can discover lilacs with light purple, white, blue, pink and even creamy yellow blooms. Depending on the number, panicles may be as brief as about 4 inches or as long as 8 inches. Bloom time also varies slightly, with blooms appearing between middle to late spring. Deadhead expired blossoms to encourage a longer blooming period. Common lilac (S. vulgaris) comprises the feature dark green, heart-shaped leaves, but hybrids like cut-leaf lilac (S. x laciniata) comprises smaller leaves with lacy edges.
Size
With so many different kinds and sizes of lilacs, you can discover a variety to match any landscaping usage. Typical lilac, with a mean height of 8 to 12 feet — sometimes up to 20 feet — and width of 6 to 12 feet, works well as a single specimen focal point or when planted close together as a windbreak or privacy screen. The Meyer lilac “Palibin” (S. meyeri “Palabin”) rises slowly to approximately 4 feet tall, which makes it acceptable for border plantings or including a colorful hedgerow in position of a front yard fence. Manchurian lilac (S. pubescens subsp. Patula) rises 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide, its compact leaf which makes it a top choice for a living fence to provide privacy in a backyard. Should you prefer a sizable tree-form lilac, plant Japanese tree lilac (S. reticulata), a massive specimen that rises up to 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
Shape
Plant contour varies among different lilac species. Common, or French lilac, tends to grow in a vase shape with a wider top than bottom. Meyer lilacs feature a rounded shape with a nearly equal width and height. Late lilac (S. villosa) and also Manchurian lilacs have straight and tall shapes with widths narrower than the height. Japanese tree lilac, with a spread almost the same as its summit, would be considered a tall and spreading contour.
Pests
Powdery mildew, a white fungal growth that generally covers leaves, frequently affects all species of lilacs. This problem can be avoided entirely by planting lilacs in sunlight and providing adequate space between plants. Prune to remove rubbing branches to permit sunlight and air circulation to all divisions. Bacterial blight shows itself in the form of brown to black spots on stems and leaves. Excellent air circulation and space between plants helps avoid that problem; cut stems about 12 inches outside the affected region. Issues with scales could be treated with insecticidal soaps and oils applied to the affected stems and leaves. Borers might lead to serious harm to plant stems, particularly in elderly stems. See to the lilac with a pesticide and also cut influenced stems to remove present borers.