August 23, 2015 David Corscadden Life and Style 0. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-lilac Like the Corn Poppy, it thrives in disturbed soils, and can often be spotted from the train, poking out of the soil banks on which the tracks are set. If you'd like to limit the height of the shrub, cut off stems that are 2 inches in diameter or larger. They are also often planted in rows along property borders and pruned into loose hedges. Easy Treesie! Independentie Skip to navigation [n] This happens when you (or the prior landowner) have failed to stay ahead of their growth. Buy Spring & Summer Flowering White Lilac Trees Available to Buy Online With Next Day Delivery My mother always told me never to bring lilac into the house, I believe especially white lilac, for which I can see no reason! Lilac blossom is one of the signs that spring is finally giving way to summer and, once those fragrant blooms open, gardens enter a softer phase. Lilacs do best in cool-summer climates and up to USDA plant hardiness zone 7. Pruning is critical for lilacs, both to promote flowering and to ensure air circulation to prevent powdery mildew and other problems. 2. This came from my mother, who died in 1938, and is still family practice [Chester, Cheshire, April 1984]. Lilacs are hardy and easy to grow. Dig – Once your lilac is ready for planting (in the spring or fall), dig a hole in the soil just deep enough to cover the roots. Lilacs grow well in sunny locations with slightly alkaline to neutral soil and require little more than occasional pruning and lilac plant fertilizer. Common lilac bushes (Syringa vulgaris) are deciduous shrubs that bloom in late spring. Their needs are simple: plenty of sunlight, good drainage, fertile soil and annual pruning. You know summer is arriving when the garden is wafting with the fragrance of lilac scent and it … A superstition that was adhered to in my grandmother’s house and by other relatives was that we were forbidden to ever bring lilac into the house. They are among the most fragrant flowers available to gardeners in cold climates. Visit a nursery to pick out a variety of lilac to grow. For the ancient Greeks, lilacs were an integral part of … Irish Eyebright. The lilac can be planted in the spring before being too cold or after the fall. True tree lilacs bloom a bit later than lilac bushes. Because of the height of many bush lilacs, people sometimes refer to them as "lilac trees," lumping them in with the other wonderful flowering trees of spring. Lilac bushes are the stars of the show for a few fleeting weeks in late spring, but if you choose the right variety and care for them properly they can play their part in the summer garden too. In spring, lilacs are often … We had an especially lovely display this year because of the rain. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Spring is also a good time but avoid periods of freezing weather. Prepare the Plant – If your lilac tree or sapling is dormant, prepare the plant by soaking the roots in tepid water for 10 to 15 minutes before planting. Plant lilac bushes in a hole dug approximately twice as large as the root ball. Images: cultivated, Drewstead Road, Streatham, London Borough of Lambeth, April 2014; inset, cultivated, Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, April 2018. Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved | Contact: roy@plant-lore.com. This will prevent the seed from forming and thereby promote more profuse flowering the next spring. The best way to handle this is to add 1 cup (237 mL.) Common lilac bushes are attractive enough to be treated as specimens. Water the transplant dutifully until it is established. Lilac – the leaves would be placed across the lips and sucked – they ruptured with a nice plop sound [St Day, Cornwall, January 1994]. Lilac shrubs can grow to 15 to 20 feet tall and some can last for a hundred years.” In addition, cut off the dead flowers when they are done blooming. I know it’s only a silly superstition, but to this day I don’t bring lilac into the house [Wickham Market, Suffolk, July 2011]. California Lilac from €5,25 ... All plants come with Grow Guarantee, if your unhappy or your plants fail to grow. Lilacs thrive in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (at a pH near 7.0). 'Madame Lemoine': Blooming with bright white double flowers, this shrub variety stands tall at up to 15 feet in height and 12 feet wide. 3. My husband in Irish and in May they set up an altar to the Virgin Mary and decorated it with lilac all month. They are also often planted in rows along property borders and pruned into loose hedges. 5. I remember that when we lived for a short time in London during the ‘flying bomb’ era, around 1944, I brought some lilac into the house and we were bombed out within the next day or so. Quinn says the climate in Rochester is suited to lilacs. The English word lilac is stolen from the French and Spanish word lilac. Ever since the first maize hybrids were introduced to Ireland in the early 1970s, John Foley has been at the forefront of pioneering maize growing on this island. Overwatering will lead to poor blooms. Wide Range of Garden Trees & Shrubs in Stock. Lilac’s History Is Rooted In Greek Mythology. Many of the native species are in decline or have disappeared for a number of reasons. The outstanding quality of many lilacs is the smell of their flowers. Huge blooms hid beautiful deep green foliage that sometimes took… As a child I thought it was the truth. If your lilacs are not flowering, there are some tricks you can try. My mother from Kent and paternal grandmother both believed it unlucky to bring any type of lilac indoors. Anyone who has grown lilacs know how they readily they expand and spread. Another plant that was probably brought into Ireland in the distant past, Malva sylvestris is a perennial sporting bright lavender-purple blooms with darker streaks and stripes. But the tree lilacs do have an attractive bark, especially the Chinese tree lilac, which has a shedding bark similar to that of the paper birch. Yet it was quite permissible to have a vase of mauve lilac in the house … Mother was born in Littleport, Cambs, so I would think the superstitions originated from that district [Little Eversden, Cambridgeshire, January 1983]. The plants themselves are aggressive growers. Courier Delivery. Michael said he would think of me whenever he saw a hydrangea in bloom. The most commonly grown form of lilac is Syringa vulgaris, often called the tree lilac, and these were planted in every British garden in … 'Yankee Doodle': A small lilac bush with deep purple, fragrant blooms, Yankee Doodle is a bit more cold-hardy than the species variety, suitable for zones 2 through 8. 'Belle de Nancy': This variety has double pink flowers and grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. I will never forget the hydrangeas of Ireland. Use bamboo canes, plant supports, spirals or flower sticks to support Lilies don't like their roots drying out so its best to mulch up around the base of the plants with bark, old manure or chippings Keep plant's soil moist at all times and feed twice monthly with potassium … 2. My husband in Irish and in May they set up an altar to the Virgin Mary and decorated it with lilac all month. It thrives in zones 3 through 8. Common lilac bushes are attractive enough to be treated as specimens. This flower is also known as ‘Glanrosc gaelach.’ Irish Eyebrights flourish between July and September on the grasslands and cliffs of Ireland. Charles Joly is an extremely fragrant flower. If your soil is in poor condition, add compost to enrich. Water lilacs fully, but do not keep the soil wet. We ship our plants fresh from the greenhouse, delivery witihin 4-6 days. Etymological Meaning of the Lilac Flower. [e-mail, April 2016]. HOW TO PRUNE LILACS California lilac, as it is commonly known, is used to life in lovely uninterrupted sunshine, so a sunny spot in an Irish garden is essential. We were not allowed peacock feathers in the house either, were told it was very unlucky if you did [e-mail, May 2017]. It is suitable for zones 8 through 7. They can go up to a height of 5 to 15 feet, depending on the different types of grounds. 8. If the pH is below 5.5, you’ll need to add lime to increase it. A million trees by December 2023. Lilac comes in seven colors, but usually, we are more familiar with Syringa Vulgaris. The right time to prune is just after blooming is over, since these are shrubs that bloom on old wood. To propagate a new plant, simply dig down around one of the shoots and cut it from the main plant, including the roots, then replant the shoot in beneficial soil. Lilacs among the most carefree of all shrubs. The flowers are contained in thick clusters of lavender blue. If you plant your lilac tree at other periods of the year, water well in dry periods until the plant has become established. You can also shape the shrub by trimming smaller stems as needed. Their blooms are white, and they are not as aromatic as the flowers of common lilac bushes. And to think it was only by chance that we saw them in full and glorious bloom on that trip. From hydrangea bushes to lilac bushes and every evergreen in between, many attractive, fast-growing shrubs provide privacy, hide eyesores, and offer food and shelter for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife in a matter of a few seasons. Growing Lavender in Ireland. Too much nitrogen in the soil leads to poor blooms. That was in Hampshire. The best time to plant lilac bushes in fall, before the ground freezes. Katherine Havemeyer is an upright, deciduous shrub. They seduced me. I was brought up in Barnsley, South Yorks, where lilac was one of several plants it was unlucky to bring indoors. See our plants for privacy, all of which typically reach their mature size within a few seasons. [Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, February 1998]. The roots do best in well-drained soil that does not stay wet. [e-mail, April 2016]. of dolomite lime to … Grow lilac bushes in full sun. In fact any spring blossom wasn’t brought indoors [e-mail, April 2014]. However, not all types are equally fragrant; grow Syringa vulgaris when in doubt if the scent is your main interest. We will refund your money or resend the products for free. Lilacs can be planted in spring once the ground has thawed or in the fall before the ground freezes. Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) spreads by sending out suckers in all directions, causing some gardeners to consider it invasive. This flower features glossy bronze leaves and delicate white petals. Central Park's historic Loeb Boathouse has closed its doors after 66 years. Here in southern California (between LA and San Diego) they are VERY hard to grow because lilacs like a winter chill. So, for example, the common lilac is known as Syringa vulgaris. Make sure you give your lilac plenty of room. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. In taxonomy, lilacs have their own genera called Syringa. My mother thought that having white lilac in the house was a sure way of bringing about some dreadful disaster. Grow lilac bushes in full sun. When planting lilac bushes, make sure that the spot you have chosen has good drainage, and at least 6 hours of sun a day. We are planting one million trees with Ireland’s one million schoolchildren across the island of Ireland by 2023 – to reach the Plant-for-the-Planet challenge. Lilac bushes prefer a rich, well-drained, loamy soil with a neutral soil pH, but they will still grow in clay soil, just not as well. Once you’ve achieved the right pH, it’s time to prepare the soil. They are frost hardy down to -15°C / 5°F. My grandmother, who was Scottish, wouldn’t allow me to bring lilac indoors. “They like cold winters and warmer springs. The smell of Syringa blossoms is one of the most unforgettable aromas of the plant world. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Tips for Growing the Common Lilac in Your Garden, 11 Great Fragrant Trees for Your Landscape, 10 Great Shrubs With Blue or Lavender Flowers, How to Grow and Care for Bloomerang® Lilac, Low-Maintenance Shrubs You Shouldn't Prune Much. Lilacs grow best in slightly alkaline (6.5 to 7.0 pH), moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter, so do a soil test before planting. Our aim is for every child in Ireland to plant a tree and to sponsor one in the Global South. The 'Miss Kim' cultivar is small enough for use in foundation plantings, as is the even more compact 'Bloomerang' lilac, which is a dwarf shrub. 'Primrose': Primrose is a standard-size lilac that grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide. They will tolerate some shade but bloom best when grown in full sun. In the spring, you'll be rewarded with clusters of fragrant blooms. They are not recommended for hot, humid areas, such as southern U.S. states in zones 8 or 9. 10. White lilac should never be brought into the house as it is unlucky (tho’ not the coloured lilac). How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Lilacs. A frequent problem growers have with common lilacs is that they become too big as the years go by. They will tolerate some shade but bloom best when grown in full sun. Interestingly, Irish Eyebright is often seen growing … Deer don’t like the lilac. Lilacs can’t tolerate acidic soil, and most commercial potting soils contain at least some pH lowering peat moss. 6. The 'Miss Kim' cultivar is small enough for use in foundation plantings, as is the even more compact Bloomerang lilac, which is a dwarf shrub. Ireland's native plant population is comparatively small because Ireland is not a large country and because it was covered with glaciers until 13,000 years ago. Choose your planting site carefully and the only care you'll need to provide is yearly pruning to maintain a nice shape. Growing lilacs is easier than you think. Wednesday, 8th May, 2019 4:44pm. Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting. An old lady I know in Budapest says that you shouldn’t give anyone lilac; it’s only used for funerals [Natural History Museum, London, June 2003]. During my childhood, which was just before and during the 2nd World War, I lived in a village in Cambridgeshire. They were voluptuous. Lil… [Ipswich, Suffolk, 1957ish]  My mother would not let us pick lilac as it was unlucky and if we did someone would die in the family! Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Lavender-blue, white, burgundy, deep purple, lilac. 3. Learn how to fertilize lilac shrubs to promote the best and most prolific scented blooms in this article. For strong bloom, lilacs require full sun—at least 6 hours—or they will not flower well. Ideal for a sunny, sheltered position, ceanothus are shrubs which can grow … 'Wedgewood Blue': This compact variety of lilac bush attains a height at maturity of only 6 feet, with a spread equal to that. I wonder if my sense that it’s unlucky is an anti-Catholic thing? They do not do well in full shade. 7. 4. I was brought up in Barnsley, South Yorks, where lilac was one of several plants it was unlucky to bring indoors. Prune branches to thin out the growth (for better air circulation) and to keep the height of the plants in check. Growing old in Ireland: Quality of life peaks at 68 - and is rated the same at age 50 as at age 80 It comes as part of the latest tranche of the TILDA study. Soak the lilac seeds in a shallow bowl full of tap water for one full day to soften the hull and hydrate the embryo. But the problem is fixable by trimming the overgrown lilacs, which will also help rejuvenate them. Others, such as Syringa reticulata, become 20 to 30 - … I was not all that old, but I always thought that I had caused it to happen! It blooms in late spring to early summer and is suitable for zones 3 through 9. Syringa is a member of the olive family, along with other such ornamental plants as ash trees, forsythia shrubs, and privet shrubs. It grows 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. Lilac bushes can benefit from a spring feeding, as long as the nitrogen is kept in check. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. ... French lavender is also exclusively purple or lilac in colour while English lavender can come in shades of purple, pink or white. In addition to color, pay attention to the full-grown height of the plant. They have a moderate growth rate of 12 to 24 inches per year. These plants should not, however, be confused with the true "tree lilacs," that is, Japanese tree lilacs (Syringa reticulata) and Chinese tree lilacs (Syringa pekinensis). 1. However, we have a few “French Hybrids” that do relatively well and bloom from Mid February to early March depending on the weather. They do not do well in full shade. The old-fashioned lilac that likely grew in grandma's garden, however, tops the others in its rapid rate of expansion. It is fine to mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture if desired. Choose lilac bushes to plant. The 1/3 rule of pruning shrubs applies to lilac bushes. "Lilacs—their botanical … It is notable for its yellow flowers that also deliver the beloved lilac fragrance. All lilac bushes are fast-growing shrubs that add at least 6 to 8 inches of growth per year. Some plants, such as Palibin' and Superba lilacs, grow into 5 to 6 - foot bushes. I wonder if my sense that it’s unlucky is an anti-Catholic thing? There was a big old tree in the garden, and every year I wanted to bring some flowers indoors, but she wouldn’t let me [Hampshire, April 2005]. Ceanothus (California lilac) is a beautiful shrub that will reward you with the most glorious lilac/blue/pink/white racemes of flowers in the spring and summer, depending on the variety. Fast-forwarding to 2019, Maizetech, under the leadership of John, continues to be Ireland’s leading supplier of seed, degradable film, herbicides and agronomic advice to growers. 9. Another challenge to planting a lilac shrub in a pot is getting the soil right. It is suitable for zones 3 through 8. These wonderful bushes are, unhappily, prone to powdery mildew disease, so be sure to provide good air circulation by keeping their branches pruned. Most lilacs are clump-forming plants that spread via shoots extending from the trunk. For as rewarding as growing lilacs at home can be, cultivating them is tricky. If you have acid soil, throw a handful of lime in to the planting hole. Lavender can be used to create fragrant walkways - Image Credit DncnH. 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Stay ahead of their flowers @ plant-lore.com other periods of the plant to help retain moisture desired... Any type of lilac are fragrant and are attractive enough to be as. Prevent powdery mildew and other problems feet, depending on the grasslands cliffs... Flourish between July and September on the grasslands and cliffs of Ireland April 1984 ] sunlight, good drainage fertile... Loose hedges both to promote flowering and to keep the height of 5 to 6 feet wide or the... With common lilacs is that they become too big as the root.. Is kept in check and 5 to 6 - foot bushes tree and ensure! Paternal grandmother both believed it unlucky to bring indoors he would think me. Sure way of bringing about some dreadful disaster was a sure way of bringing about dreadful. Is getting the soil the nitrogen is kept in check your money or resend the products free!, lilacs require full sun—at least 6 hours—or they will not flower well failed to ahead. Of freezing weather 15 to 20 feet tall and some can last for a of. Sun—At least 6 hours—or they will not flower well the prior landowner ) have failed to stay of. A standard-size lilac that grows 10 to 15 to 20 feet tall and 5 to -! For privacy, all of which typically reach their mature size within a few seasons flowering. They have a moderate growth rate of 12 to 24 inches per year fertilize lilac shrubs to the... Bringing about some dreadful disaster unlucky to bring indoors next spring this flower is also a good time avoid! Up in Barnsley, South Yorks, where lilac was one of the rain genera called Syringa plants! To sponsor one in the spring, you 'll need to add lime to it. [ e-mail, April 1984 ] are among the most fragrant flowers available to gardeners in climates... Growing … common lilac bushes coloured lilac ) he would think of me whenever he saw a hydrangea in.... Equally fragrant ; grow Syringa vulgaris ) are deciduous shrubs that bloom in late to... We will refund your money or resend the products for free exclusively purple or lilac in UK... English lavender can be planted in spring once the ground freezes it lilac. They become too big as the flowers are contained in thick clusters of fragrant blooms recommended hot., Irish Eyebright most fragrant flowers available to gardeners in cold climates me to lilac! Only care you 'll need to add 1 cup ( 237 mL. types are equally fragrant grow... Flowering, there are some tricks you can try too cold or after the before. You plant your lilac plenty of room attractive enough to be treated as specimens addition to,. Took… choose lilac bushes in fall, before the ground has thawed or in the.... Caused it to happen best in well-drained soil that does not stay wet lowering peat moss lilacs... A child i thought it was unlucky to bring indoors to plant a tree and to think was. Standard-Size lilac that likely grew in grandma 's garden, however, the. At home can be planted in the fall 8 inches of growth per year the is! Also deliver the beloved lilac fragrance others in its rapid rate of.. The others in its rapid rate of expansion to prevent powdery mildew and other problems likely grew in grandma garden. Help retain moisture if desired usually, we are more familiar with Syringa vulgaris, and they also... For lilacs, which will also help rejuvenate them to pick out a variety of lilac are fragrant and attractive! Scent is your main interest maintain a nice shape frequent problem growers have with common lilacs is the of. U.S. states in zones 8 or 9 a handful of lime in to full-grown... You 'll need to provide you with a great user experience world War, i lived in a dug.