How to Grow Lilac Shrubs Plant Profile

Lilac shrubs are well-known for being classic signs of spring. Many gardeners consider this fragrant shrub a must for scent gardens as well.

Cultivation Information and How to Grow Lilac Bushes

Botanical and Common Name – Syringa is the scientific name for Lilac shrubs.

Plant Category – Lilac shrubs are decidiuous, woody shrubs that loose their foliage during the winter but keep their woody stems.

Bloom Time and Color – Lilac flowers are considered by many gardeners to be the official sign that spring is truly arrived and flowers are traditionally a purple form that gave them their common name. Varieties are available with lavender, dark purple, blue-tinted, pink and white flower clusters. A reblooming lilac is also available that will produce flower clusters later in the growing season.

Foliage – The large leaves are about 4 inches long and have a pleasing heart-shape, but are otherwise nondescript. Lilac leaves drop from the shrub each winter and return in early spring.

Growth Habit and Dimensions – Lilac plants are traditionally large shrubs, reaching 20 feet tall, however, many cultivars are available with more compact 10 foot, or shorter, heights. Lilac shrubs have bushy, rounded growth that is very dense, making them suitable for a loose hedge or screen planting.

Preferred Conditions – Lilacs prefer sunny garden areas with neutral to alkaline soil. Gardeners should provide lilacs with plenty of water when they are newly planted, but make sure the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot.

Maintenance – Gardeners should remove the spent flowers promptly before seeds are set to encourage bushier growth and better blooms next year. If the lilac is growing too large, gardeners can prune the shrub immediately after flowering. Some lilac shrubs can form suckers that will need to be trimmed back to maintain shape.

Pests or Diseases – Lilacs are prone to fungal diseases that can attack the foliage, when overly wet or crowded. Lilacs can also be attacked by wood borers. Lilac disease tolerance is also lowered when planted in shady garden spots.

Propagation Methods – Lilacs are easiest to grow from summer greenwood cuttings or by layering green stems.

Using Lilac Shrubs in the Garden

Companion Plants – Gardeners can make lilacs a part of any fragrance garden as the spring flowers are highly aromatic, and can be cut for bringing indoors where they will perfume the entire house. Lilacs also make good focal points in a spring flower garden as the prolific flower clusters will cover the shrub each spring.

Seasons of Interest – Lilac foliage provides some interest during the summer and winter months, but the peak season of interest in the garden comes with the fragrant, spring flowers. Syringa reticulata has red tinted bark which also gives the lilac winter interest.

Lilac Varieties and Cultivars

• French Lilac or Common Lilac(Syringa vulgaris) – Hardy zones 3-7. This common lilac grows about 15 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide and have some of the largest flower clusters of all lilacs. Popular cultivars include ‘Alba’, a white blooming lilac; ‘Aucubaefolia’ which has variegated foliage; ‘Charles Joly’ with dark purple-blue flower clusters; and ‘Sarah Sands’ which blooms with a brighter rose-purple color.
• Korean Lilac(Syringa meyeri)- Zones 3-7. Korean lilac grows 8 to 10 feet tall and has a rounded, bushy growth habit with minimal suckering. ‘Palibin’ is a dwarf form that grows only about 5 feet tall and wide.
• Persian Lilac(Syringa persica)- Zones 4-8. According to Missouri Botanical Garden website, the Persian lilac is a hybrid between S. afghanica and S. laciniata.