It just wouldn’t be spring in Idaho without the wonderful fragrance and beautiful purple-flowered shrubs of Syringa vulgaris, the botanical name of the common lilac.The climate of the Treasure Valley is perfect for growing lilacs. They bloom best in areas with chilly winters and a slightly alkaline soil.
Contents
What zones do lilac bushes grow in?
Common lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) are the old-fashioned type of lilac and offer the biggest flowers, the best fragrance and the most enduring blooms. They typically require chilly periods in winter and only thrive in zones 5 through 7.
Where is the best place to grow lilacs?
full sun
Where 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.
Will lilac survive winter?
Lilacs withstand a chilly winter better than most plants. They do benefit from occasional watering if there is no precipitation available to the roots. Watering around the root zone actually keeps the soil warmer than dry soil, offering lilac winter protection.
Can lilacs grow Zone 4?
She’s part of the Beach Party™ series of “low chill” lilac cultivars developed by John Schoustra, a plant breeder in California. Which is good news for those of you in warmer growing zones: with fewer chilling hours required than is typical in a lilac, she thrives in Zones 4-10.
Can Lilacs grow in Northern California?
These Lilac species are good for Central and Northern California gardens.Of course, it is always better to plant your local Lilacs, if possible. California Lilacs, or Ceanothus, are some of our most fragrant and colorful shrubs here in California. They are also evergreen and very drought tolerant.
How fast does lilac grow?
1-2 feet a year
It has continuously grown 1-2 feet a year.
Is there a difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?
Shrub lilacs and bush lilacs are short and compact.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 do lilacs symbolize?
Because lilacs have one of the earliest bloom times, they symbolize spring and renewal. Lilacs also symbolize confidence, which makes them a traditionally popular gift for graduates. There are many meanings that lilacs have that can best be classified by color. White lilacs symbolize purity and innocence.
Can you plant a lilac bush next to a house?
Root System on Lilac
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. A distance of 12 feet (4 m.)
Do lilacs come back 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.
How do you winterize a lilac bush?
Give your lilac a good watering (2 to 3 gallons) before the ground freezes to ensure the shrub is hydrated before winter starts. Use 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch, like shredded leaves or bark, around the base of your lilac to prevent winter heave, the exposure of roots due to the ground freezing and thawing.
What time of year do lilacs bloom?
spring
The common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, blooms in the northern states for 2 weeks from mid- to late spring. However, there are early-, mid-, and late-season lilacs, which, when grown together, ensure a steady bloom for at least 6 weeks. Lilacs are hardy, easy to grow, and low maintenance.
What grows well with lilacs?
Herbaceous peonies and tree peonies (Paeonia) are wonderful companions to lilacs. They are compatible in color, fragrance and form, and make each other look better. Plant peonies at your lilac’ foot to hide its poorly clad legs and savor the beauty and pervasive perfume they lavish on those who passes-by.
Are lilacs 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.
Are coffee grounds good for lilacs?
Grass clippings and coffee grounds can be used as a good source of nitrogen. Use sparingly, as too much nitrogen in the soil will result in poor blooms. Lilacs grow best in slightly alkaline (6.5 to 7.0 pH), moist, well-drained soil. Adding bone meal to the soil can make it more alkaline.
Do lilacs grow in Oregon?
The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is in its glory for just two to four weeks. But these hardy, tree-like shrubs do well in the Willamette Valley, says Harold Greer of Greer Gardens, and their mid-spring burst of beauty and fragrance deserve a place in the garden.
Do lilacs need cold winters?
Lilacs are hardy shrubs, meaning that they need very little care to survive. They can withstand temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 C) but may need some protection from icy winds that damage the flower buds. To help flower production, lilacs need cold winters to help set next season’s blooms.
Can lilacs take full sun?
Lilacs grow best in full sun, so avoid planting them where they will be shaded for more than half a day. Be sure to plant them with enough space for future growth. Read the plant label to get the height and spread of the mature plant. To thrive, lilacs need good drainage.
Do lilacs make good hedges?
Lilac hedges, with their colorful, often fragrant blooms, provide privacy and beautify the landscape. Plant them as a screen, barrier, property line marker or garden room divider or backdrop.
Is there a white lilac?
Syringa vulgaris ‘Angel White‘ (Descanso Hybrid)
One of the best lilacs for warm winter areas. Spectacular clusters of fragrant pure white flowers produced without winter chilling! This midseason bloomer typically flowers in mid-May.
