shrub
Trying to adjudicate what lilac variety to implant this season , but ca n’t cull without a niggling help ? Lilacs have over 25 mintage , with 1000 of cultivars , so it can be concentrated to settle in and pick the perfect bush . In this clause , certified superior gardener Liz Jarosz shares her pet lilac cultivars you could plant in your garden this season .
lease ’s assume you ’re look tofill a sunny maculation in the yardwith some honest-to-god fashioned , sweet smelling , garden good . And since you ’ve land on this page , we ’re going to assume you ’re already grooving on lilac but are n’t surewhich form is right for you . have ’s break the selection process down a minute and take a closer look at some of your options .
Ranging in meridian from 3 to 30 ft and blossom prolifically in previous spring to early summertime , lilac come in 25 + coinage with thousands of cultivars , so it ’s no curiosity you ’re overwhelmed . square up whether you ’re looking for aprivacy concealment , aformal hedging , an ornamental tree diagram , or a small-scale accent bush before you bug out flick around , and that will help you perfect in on varieties that will work in your landscape painting .
broadly mouth , lilacs arecategorized as a unfolding shrub(between 6 and 15 feet marvellous ) , dwarf shrub ( less than 6 feet tall ) , or tree diagram ( over 15 infantry magniloquent ) . Whilethere is some overlapand hoar arena , for the purpose offinding the correct lilacfor the veracious smirch , we ’ll use those headings to help you sieve through your options .
Contents
Pick a Lilac For Your Space
Lilacs are eff for being leisurely to grow , resilient , laid back . But lilacs dorequire plenty of sunshine , decent drain andgood air circulationin order to thrive , so make indisputable your web site can receive those need before choosing a plant life from this genus .
Pay careful tending to your space limitations , assome lilac will grow very orotund , very tight . And ensure they will grow well in your realm . Most lilacs arehardy in zones 3 - 7 , but there are a few that can handle colder temps and a few that can handle higher story of humidity . Zero in on those cultivars if you live in zone 2 or 8 , and you ’ll increase your betting odds of successful growth .
The horticultural definition of a shrub is a multi - stem , woody plant that does not exceed15 feet in height . While some lilac species , in particular those in the common lilac family ( Syringa vulgaris ) , can soar to altitude of 20 feet or more , we still call them shrubs due to their bushy personalities . If you ’re looking for a mid - large sized , lilac shrub , here are a few to consider :
Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Declaration’
Wonderfully scented , this shrub ’s 15 - inch blossom are royal in hueand open a week or so before most coarse lilac species . This timing makes Declaration a good choice for interracial lilac borders , when a month or two of continuous lilac pleasure is the goal .
rise 6 - 8 foot marvellous and wide , it has a slightly small stature and debauchee habit than many of its lilac peers . Use it as an accent or backdrop planting for a dramatic effect .
Syringa vulgaris ‘Primrose’
Primrose burst in former spring with massive , 10 - inch panicle that are creamy yellow in hue . Growth is riotous and large , with a 10 - foot spread at maturity . Dark , eye - shaped leaves provide prissy demarcation . With a visibility that is in the main considered cottage or classic , this one bring equally well in a group or as a standalone .
Syringa x oblata ‘Betsy Ross’
Abundant , white panicle cover this rounded specimen in former spring and satisfy the air with a sweet scent . spring up 10 foot high and 13 feet panoptic , Betsy Ross is known for being resistant to powdery mould – a common lilac foe . It is also one of the few lilac cultivar that can be grown in southern climates , and it ’s hardy to zone 8 .
Syringa microphylla ‘Superba’
This littleleaf lilac has a bushy , scatter habit and a dense branch construction . Although it only begin 5 - 7 foot tall , it can be 10 - 15 foot wide at maturity . Tubular pink flower cover the shrub in belated leap to former summer and offer a light , pleasant scent . If sheared after blooming , it may blossom again afterward in the season .
Its belittled , ovate leaves can be sheared and forge , make this a good option for a depleted hedgerow or border planting . This cultivar is also slightly more heat energy tolerant and mould resistant than your average lilac and is stout to zone 8 .
Syringa vulgaris ‘Andenken an Ludwig Spath’
An vertical shrub with loose , vase - similar branches , this cultivar grows 10 - 12 feet grandiloquent and 6 - 8 feet wide of the mark . Its foot - long , minute panicles are wine dark and highly strong sweet-smelling , and they put on a show for 3 - 4 week in previous spring , making Spath one of the long flower lilacs usable .
Syringa x chinensis ‘Lilac Sunday’
develop 8 - 10 feet magniloquent and wide , this hybrid is prized for its abundant flowers . While common lilacs mail blooms out from their top , Lilac Sundays produce showy , pallid purple flower all along their arm in late springtime .
The heavy blooms make a refined , arch branch pattern and pour on the appealingness in border and screen . This would also be a great backdrop for the cut garden , since flowers are so ample .
Syringa x prestoniae ‘Miss Canada’
One of the few lilacs that extends the genus ’ daring to geographical zone 2 , Miss Canada can withstand extremely cold temperature and still pack a floral punch .
Blooming in late spring to other summer , this hybrid features cannular rose-colored - pinkish blooms with a delicate aroma and raise 6 - 12 feet pear-shaped . Dark green , gig - shaped farewell obligate their colour well in summer and turn superb xanthous in fall , generate this one 3 - season interest .
Syringa vulgaris ‘Beauty of Moscow’
Double white florets with a hint of blush appear in late spring to give this cultivar a spectacular presence in the landscape painting . Growing 8 - 10 pes improbable and 6 - 8 feet all-encompassing , Moscow ’s form is vase - corresponding , and its branch structure is open .
Light greenish , pump - shaped leaves contrast nicely with surrounding plant life that have dark foliation . It is also known for being powdery mould immune , make it a right choice for zones with considerable humidity .
Syringa vulgaris ‘President Lincoln’
With oversized , wedgewood blue panicles that arise in clusters against dark gullible leafage , this one is prized for its unequaled color and formal stature . age at 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide , Lincoln ’s leg structure is vertical and rigid , cause it a go - to backdrop flora .
This cultivar was introduced in 1916 and was featured heavily in presidential garden , which is why it received its name . It ’s a fast raiser with a delightful scent and bloom in early summertime .
Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’
Maxing at 12 base tall and 8 feet all-embracing , Sensation shows off in early summer and is valued for its vary heyday . Its rich , purple petal are edged in white , give it one of the few , true , bi - color lilac cultivars .
drear , dense foliage and large leafage sizing make it well - suited to hedge or base plantings . Scent is not as strong as other lilac varieties , which wee it attractive to those who find it overpowering .
Dwarf Shrubs
In lilac language , anything that does n’t get larger than 6 ’ high qualifies as a dwarf . These lilac smorgasbord are typically bred on rhizome that bring on smaller , denser , woody ramification structure , but they still bundle a powerful flower punch .
Most nanus can be keep as little as you ’d like with regular , proper pruning . This makes gnome lilacs a solid selection for smaller landscape or accent plantings . Dwarf varieties are also the honorable to pick out if you plant tocontainer plant your lilac . Here are a few tested and true mixed bag to consider :
Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’
Commonly known as Dwarf Korean Lilac , Palibin has a compendious , round shape that ’s slightly wider than it is tall . It maxes out at 5 foot grandiloquent and 7 feet wide .
bring forth dense clusters of purple buds that become a profusion of lilliputian pinkish flowers in mid to late saltation , this dwarf has small , glossy leaf that can be shaped easily . Use it as a foundation plant or plant them close together and shear into a low hedge .
Syringa x ‘Penda’
Marketed as ‘ reblooming ’ lilac under several unlike blade names , these hybrids come in in several tone of purpleness and pink . They tout a diminutive , 3 - 4 foot round Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and flower for an extended period of 3 - 4 weeks in late spring / former summertime .
leafage is unremarkable , but tidy , cause this a just choice in a mixed border or founding planting . Shear them like a shot after blooms have pass and you will likely have another flush of flush in mid - summer .
Syringa pubescens subsp. patula ‘Miss Kim’
Maxing at 6 - feet tall and wide , Miss Kim is the common lilac ’s little sister . With similar blooms and early spring timing , this belittled bush can turn in the same classical style in smaller infinite . Even though it ’s a dwarf specimen , Miss Kim ’s lilac to pale pinkish flower are great and heavenly scented .
Leaves are dark fleeceable and turn burgundy in fall , giving this one three season involvement in the landscape painting . practice it as a unmarried accent by the terrace or in a mathematical group along the walk .
Syringa x ‘Bailbelle’
Informally referred to as the ‘ Tinkerbelle ’ lilac , this dwarf will reach 5 - foot tall at maturity with a spread of 5 - 6 feet . sport early red bud that abound into 5 - column inch long , wine colored panicle in mid to late spring , Tinkerbelle will sum up a splash of colour wherever it ’s plant .
Leaves are large , dark , and ellipse , giving it a nice bearing even when flowering is accomplished . Perfect as an loose hedging , mass planting , or in a mixed lilac margin .
Syringa vulgaris ‘Wedgewood Blue’
An vertical shrub with light green , nerve - shaped leaf , Wedgewood Blue turn 4 - 6 grandiloquent and wide . Lilac - hue buds open to light blue panicles on arching branches in former outpouring and fill the air with a light scent . This cultivar works well in the back of a perennial bed or as an accent industrial plant in a smaller setting .
Syringa vulgaris ‘Josee’
Light pink , genius - shaped bloom completely cover Josee in later springtime , making this one a dwarf favourite . In cooler climates , this shrub will bloom again later in the season , although not as prolifically . reach widths of 4 - 6 feet and peak of 5 - 6 infantry , Josee has small , dour green leave and a heavy , round habit . Use it in a sundry shrub border or as a foot planting .
Tree Species
Lilacs that exceed 15 feet in elevation and feature a undivided trunk or a multi - stem trunk with a higher canopy are typicallyconsidered efflorescence trees . In non - botanical talk , lilac trees fall into one of three categories ( Japanese Tree , Chinese Tree , or Amur Tree ) , each with its own visibility and unique characteristics .
Although Formosan and Amur are in reality race of the Japanese Tree Lilac , this is the well-heeled way to keep them straight and we will analyse them accordingly :
Japanese Tree Lilacs
pack a wallop in the landscape painting with cluster of fragrant ( sometimes overpowering or off - putt ) , white flowers that are 10 in wide and up to a foot long , Japanese tree lilac fill the gap nicely between spring and summertime flowering trees .
Sold in both individual and multi - stemmed varieties , they can reach out heights of 30 foot and spreads of 15 - 20 feet . With an attractive cast , reddish bark , and white trunk speckles , Japanese tree lilacsoffer four - time of year interest . They are equally at rest home in the city , on a minor holding , or on the rambling grounds of a grand landed estate . Popular varieties admit :
Syringa Reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’
hump for having thick offshoot and a more succinct canopy than other Japanese tree lilac .
Syringa Reticulata ‘Ivory Pillar’
Selected for its narrow-minded , pyramidical manikin , Ivory Pillar is importantly taller than it is wide .
Syringa Reticulata ‘Summer Snow’
A little cultivar of the specie , Summer Snow has a report for being tolerant of air pollution . Less fragrant than other lilac .
Syringa reticulata ‘Chantilly Lace’
Known for its variegated foliage , this cultivar have glossy green leaves with cream colorize margins and large ivory peak .
Syringa reticulata ‘Elliot’
Smooth , steel - gray bark give this one a spectacular wintertime visibility . Habit is dim and vertical .
Also other summertime fuckup , Chinese tree lilacssend out yellow-bellied - blanched , beloved scented flower clustering en masse . small in size of it at 10 - 20 foot high-pitched and 10 - 15 feet panoptic , with a more delicate leafage and leg structure , this species is often choose for its unusual bark characteristics and wintertime interest . Its cinnamon toamber color barkexfoliates in sheets and peels later on in the season .
Syringa reticulata ssps. pekinensis ‘Beijing Gold’
Adaptable to both acidic and alkalic soil circumstance , Beijing Gold also tolerates drought and road salt , make water it a democratic choice for cityscapes .
Syringa reticulata ssps. pekinensis ‘Summer Charm’
Known for being multi - stemmed with a humiliated canopy and a permissiveness for part shade . This unique tree diagram variety has become more popular as a privateness lilac over the last decade or so . It can survive in a number of environment , and is comparatively low maintenance .
Syringa reticulata ssps. pekinensis ‘Yellow Fragrance’
count the Chinese tree diagram lilac with the most pleasing olfactory property , it ’s also known for being a slow grower with an ellipse top . The yellowish white bloom are beautiful , and this is one of the more popular little lilac trees .
Amur Tree Lilac
aboriginal to Korea and eastern Russia , this is the smallest lilac tree species , maxing out at 6 - 8 foot marvelous and 4 - 6 feet extensive . Flower panicles are livid and prolific in early summer with a pleasant scent . Amur ’s habit is rounded and more shrub - like than the other tree lilacs . A good choice for small properties .
Final Thoughts
Whether you ’re well - acquainted with lilac and their splendiferous , oversized bloom or just hear to nibble them out on your saunter through the neighbourhood , you are probably familiar with their scent . Sweet and brawny , with a heavy blow of nostalgia for a simpler time , lilacs usher in the summer season with a sensorial bang .
If you ’re study add them to the landscape painting , ensure you have theright growing requirements(sun , airflow , and good drain ) , then determine whether you ’re looking for a bush , gnome bush , or tree . Take some time puzzle to know their size , bloom times , flower colour , and arm structures .
If conditions are optimal and your lilac is properly cared for , it might live a hundred yearsor more in the location where it ’s found . Keep that in head as you make your selection . You ’re set up a endure legacy of sorts , which is reasonably darn cool .
