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Guide to Lilacs

History of the Lilac

The Syrings vulgaries (common lilac) was brought to the U.S. by the settlers. This plant is very hardy and established itself very easily. These lilacs still mark the location of long disappeared homesteads of the early settlers.

Lilacs mark the start of spring with a showy display of blooms. The time of the bloom is a good predictor of spring being early or late.

About Lilacs

Lilacs fall in the USDA Hardiness Map in zones 3,4, 5 and the less severe portions of zone 2. Wrightwood, with its varying topography, is within the constraints of zones 3-4.

The blossoms are available in seven different colors: White, blue, lavender, pink, purple, violet and magenta.

Lilacs are some of the first plants to bloom, lasting 2-3 weeks from bud to fading bloom.

What type of Lilac?

A common lilac found in the area is Syringa vulgaris (common or old fashioned) lilac. These are very hardy, drought tolerant and fragrant. They do send out suckers which can help the plant to remain young and in good flowering condition for many years.

Another popular lilac is the Syringa reflexa. These bloom about a week later than the , and can have pink to lavender flowers. They do not sucker and can grow 10-12 feet in height.

How to fertilize my Lilac?

The best fertilizer is one that has a second number approximately twice as high as the first. This will help promote blooms over the foilage and should be applied to the lilac early in the spring for the next year. Buds will set the previous year so the fertilizer aill work on this years leaves and next years blooms.

Lilacs should be mulched. This will help reduce heat stress to the plant and retain water during the summer.

Where to plant my Lilac?

Your lilac will do best with a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight each day. Shade can cause your plant to have reduced blooms, become leggy and can increase powdery mildew problems.

Lilac's like well drained neutral soil but will handle pH 6.5-8.5. Plant show plants 10-15 inches apart, for a hedge plant 24-36 inches apart. Plant you lilac at least 5 feet from buildings so their roots will not damage the foundations.

How should I water my lilac?

The lilac will need 1-1½ inch of water during the summer through mid September. Then start reducing the amount of water to hardeb off the shrub for winter. If this period is dry your plant may need more water.

Drip irrigation is a great way to water your plants as it is a method of deep watering with no wasted water, and when put on a timer your lilacs will get consistant watering. Also since the water is right at the plant the drip line helps to reduce the amount of labor needed to weed.

Prunning Lilacs

Newly planted lilacs do not need pruning until they are about 7 feet tall. Stems of 1-2 inches in diameter will produce better blooms than larger diameter. The best time to prune is just after removing spent blooms.

Rejuvenating overgrown lilacs: cut to the ground 1/3 of the largest trunks each year for 3 years to spur new young stems from the base. This can be done in early spring before the leaves.

My Lilac does not flower, HELP!

1) Lilac that are purchased bare root or balled may flower the 1st year then not for 3-5 years after. Better to buy a plant in a container, these will have a complete root system and flower at a younger age.

2) Remember, lilac need at least 6 hours of sun a day. Possibly the location is hampering blooms.

3) Too much nitrogen. When planted in a lawn (lawns need lots of nitrogen) but in lilac this only produces green not flowers.

4) Pruning the wrong way.


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walter feller