|
Are you hesitating about growing Lilacs? If so I may change your mind. The Lilac is one of the best loved and also hardy of shrubs. It was actually brought to Europe in l554 from Constantinople, and came to American in the l7th century and has been popular since then. The Lilac belongs to the genus Syrings, a member of the great Olive Family and is closely related to the Privet, Ash, Forsythia and Fringe Tree.
Now a lot of people are just not interested in the many species of Lilacs but for many years I have grown Lilacs and have received many compliments on my shrubs so I do highly recommend your trying them at least, once you do you'll enjoy and love them as I do. Of the many varieties of Lilacs there are white, creamy white, violet, blue, bluish-lilac, lilac, lilac-pink, magenta and purple.
There are also early blooming hybrids in addition to the wild varieties and these hybrids will normally come into bloom about 7 to 10 days before the ordinary wild ones. I have both and I just say I like one more than the other. Some may prefer just the hybrid but I certainly don't
distinguish between one or the other.
Let's talk about the regions where Lilacs are hardy, from Maine to the Rocky Mountains and they do well as far south as Virginia and Tennessee. Some grow in central Canada, and all Lilacs will require a fertile, well-drained soil containing lime, but they will grow in acid soil also. In
the acid soils you'll need to add a little lime every few years, but even if you don't they'll still grow, I prefer adding the lime every 3 years but this is my preference.
The Lilacs can be planted in either fall or spring: I prefer fall planting. One good feature of the Lilac is they require very little pruning but I do shape the shrub and also cut out some of the older growth from year to year as I feel this allows the new shoots more growth. Also I do
tend to keep my Lilacs to a size of 8 or l0 feet.
I feel I can see the flowers better and also pick them more easily, although I also just tend to admire them and don't pick a lot of their flowers.
I also like to propagate my new plants from the suckers of the older plants, I don't care that much for doing this from cuttings as some might. I feel using the suckers is the easiest way of propagating.
Be careful of Lilac Borers attacking the main stem, try to keep young stems coming up from the ground. I really think if you decide to grow Lilacs and if my article helps with your decision I'll be very glad as these are beautiful.
| 
