The lilac varieties of Syringa, are tall multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees that bears panicles of single or double florets in shades of lilac, rose, or white. Lilacs may be planted as featured specimens in a lawn, by an entrance where their scent would greet a visitor, as tall hedges. You will find fact and information on growing beautiful lilac varieties.
Growing Lilac Varieties
Mildew may be prevalent, so try to purchase resistant cultivars and site them in a dry, airy cool place. The most common of the lilacs, (syringa vulgaris), which blooms in May and grows best in Zones 3-7 or 8. It requires a winter chilling period to bloom well.
Lilac Varieties
The Chinese, or Rouen, lilac (S. X chinensis) blooms in the Midwest and the East in Zones 2, or 3-7 in mid-spring. This graceful 10-12’ shrub with broadly spreading branches has the color and scent of S. Vulgaris but with more flowers. S, meyeri, is a mildew resistant, rounded shrub growing up to 4-8’ tall and spreading 6-12’. It blooms in May before the leaves fully develop. The violet-purple flowers appear when plants are just a foot high. ‘Palibin’, a compact form, bears reddish purple buds that open to pale pink.
Of the late bloomers, the 5-9’ Korean cultivar S, patula ‘Miss Kim’ is outstanding. It is mildew-resistant and hardy in Zones 3 or 4-8. It bears fragrant purple in-the-bud flowers that fade to a pale pink or blue. The fall foliage often develops a good reddish color.
Hardy in Zones 3-7, S. X henryi ‘Lutece,’ with violet flowers, is another lovely late bloomer. The last of the lilacs to flower, and the only one that truly qualifies as a tree is the the 20-30’ Japanese tree lilac ( S. reticulata or S. amurensis). It is hardy in Zones 3-7 and has 6” plumes of creamy white florets with a scent simila to a privet’s. ‘Ivory Silk’ is a compact, heavily flowering 25’ cultivar that blooms at an early age.
Growing Lilacs
A lilac will transplant easily in spring to well-drained but moist humusy soil with a pH near 8.0. It should be planted in full sun or light shade. When established it tolerates some drought. It should be fertilized annually.
After flowering, remove unproductive trunks and allow two or three strong suckers to grow up as replacements. Eliminate all others.
