Although my love of herbs and flowers keeps me from ever choose
just one favorite scent, I would say the lilac is my sentimental favorite.
To me, there is nothing more wonderful then a light spring breeze that
carries the scent of lilacs across the way. On simple bouquet can scent
an entire room. They are old fashioned yet will never go out of style in
the landscape. Lilacs came to America in the 17th Century and have
been a favorite since then.
The old fashioned lilac species is Syringa
vulgaris, but this name will also include many French hybrids as well.
You can plant lilacs in early spring but it really is better to plant them in
the fall before the ground freezes. If your winters are especially harsh
then spring planting would be a better option. Where should you plant?
A sunny spot that receives at least 6 hours of sun where the soil is very
well drained. Lilacs do not like wet feet and will often not survive if
it's too wet. They are VERY hardy, down to about -40, perhaps lower.
BUT if the ground is too moist and the roots freeze in essentially what
becomes a piece of ice, they might not survive. Also if you are in one
of those cold cold climates you may want to place it in a spot protected
from the icy winds as well.
If your soil is on the acidic side then you may want to add lime to the
soil every few years or fertilize with bone meal. Lilacs do better when
the soil is not too acidic.
So, you've planted your lilacs in a nice sunny spot and they just don't
seem to be flourishing. Your grandmother's bloomed for years and
years with no extra care, why aren't yours doing as well? It could be
several things. Lilacs do need to be pruned, but at the correct time.
Prune too early or too late and you'll won't have blooms at all, or very
few. Do not prune in late summer, fall or winter. Prune after they
bloom, but don't wait too long in other words. Later in the summer
the blooms for next year are actually forming, and if you prune you
interfere with the process. Try deadheading the flowers after the
blooms have faded, and at this point prune any dead or old branches.
But only prune about a third of the plant at a time. If you've never done
this and you have a lot of dead wood, just do about a third each year
until you have it all. It took a long time to get that way, and you don't
want to shock your lilac by chopping off too much.
Two more things that could be hindering your growth or blooms-not
enough space to allow the air to circulate around the plant and the
wrong kind of fertilizer. Allow AT LEAST 6 foot between lilacs. Even
if they are for a large row planting you don't want to crowd them. They
need room to grow! Also, do not treat your lilacs as if they are part of
the lawn and fertilize with the same type of fertilizer. You'll have a lot
of green foliage, but less blooms. They don't need high nitrogen
fertilizer, so avoid this type of feeding.
Lastly, I grew up with the common, old fashioned lilac. To me it's
fragrance is equal to the beauty of it's blooms. If you are buying
hybrids be sure to inquire about the fragrance. Not all are the
same, and some newer types are either too strong or too weak.
Research and ask questions so you aren't disappointed. Edward
Bunyard said that lilacs were "the very heart and soul of memory".
Louise Beebe Wilder said "my foolish heart clings to the old
fashioned single purple and white, for no flower seems to me to
so truly express the fullness of spring".
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife and mom to three living in the Midwest
United States. She is also editor of OldFashionedLiving.com.
Perennial & Landscaping Resources
Breck's: Bulbs & Plants
Spring Hill Nursery
Michigan Bulb
Henry Field's
Gurney's Seed & Nursery
Jackson & Perkins
White
Flower Farm
Nature Hills Nursery
