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Extra
notes and interesting information |
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Syringa vulgaris,
A garden staple in cold-winter regions, cherished for
big, flamboyant, fragrant flower clusters at branch
tips. Medium to large shrubs with medium to deep green
foliage and no special appeal when out of bloom. Floral
show comes from number of small flowers packed into
dense pyramidal to conical clusters; individual flowers
are tubular, flaring into four petal-like lobes. Bloom
comes from early spring to early summer, always after
leaves have formed. Most lilacs bloom on wood formed
the previous year, so prune just after flowering ends.
The plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or
birds. Most lilacs require a pronounced winter chilling
period. Mild winters may cause these plants to fail to
bloom the following year. |
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References:
Sunset Western
Garden Book. Sunset Publishing Corp., 2001
www.davesgarden.com
www.thegardenhelper.com
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Common Name: Lilac
Plant type:
Deciduous Shrub
Family:
Oleaceae
Height/Spread: 8 –
20 ft. tall, with nearly equal spread
Form:
A
multi-stemmed, suckering, tall shrub.
Leaves:
The
leaves are simple, light green to glaucous, oval to cordate, with
pinnate leaf venation, a mucronate apex and an entire margin,
reaching a length of 5-10 cm. They are arranged opposite pairs or
occasionally in whorls of three.
Flowers:
Pinkish, light
purple or bluish lavender flowers in terminal clusters, 4 to 10
inches long. Fragrance is legendary; lilac fanciers say species and
its older varieties are more fragrant than newer types. Superb cut
flowers.
Diseases/pests: Many cultivars of Common Lilac are susceptible to
powdery mildew, bacterial blight or leaf spot. Leaf miner, stem
Borers and oyster shell scale are also occasional problems.
Conditions:
Common
Lilac is not demanding of soil type. However, they do not tolerate
poorly drained soils. They require full sun for best performance.
Natural Range:
Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a,
6b, 7a, 7b
Location: Entrance
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