How do you identify a lilac?

Most lilacs will only bloom for a short time period in the spring. Common lilac has one of the longest and hardiest blooms. Long-lasting varieties of lilacs are called reblooming lilacs and can bloom for around six weeks through spring and summer.

To thrive, lilacs need good drainage. Soil should retain sufficient moisture to nourish the root system yet drain freely when rainfall is abundant. To test drainage before planting, dig a hole that is about 8 inches in diameter by 12 inches deep. Fill the hole Read more

Since lilacs prefer good drainage, planting lilac bushes in slightly elevated areas is recommended whenever possible. Following planting lilac bushes, water them thoroughly and add a layer of loose mulch. Keep the mulch thick enough to keep out weeds and retain some moisture but light Read more

Actually, lilac is supposed to be a medicinal herb that can help lower fever and improve digestion. It's medicinal use has been documented since the middle ages.

It produces an abundance of beautiful lilac lavender flowers and blooms continuously from early spring through autumn. With its flower power and extended bloom time, 'Lilac Falls' is one perennial growers, landscapers and gardeners will surely fall in love with.

Ants will appear, sometimes in large numbers, during the blooming period. They are seeking the sweet nectar in the flower, and do no harm to the flower or plant.

Where to Plant Lilacs. The ideal spot to plant lilacs is in an area with full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours per day)—give them too much shade and they may not bloom. Lilacs also like slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soil.

Watering your lilac plant is recommended once every 10 to 14 days from from spring until blooming ends. Lilacs respond best to deep, infrequent watering. Make sure that your planting area or container drains well. These plants do not like wet feet and will not Read more

Most flowering shrubs need regular pruning to keep them vibrant, and the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is no exception. However, if left to grow and spread on their own, common lilacs will eventually only flower on the tops of the uppermost branches.

Most lilacs need a long period of winter chill for buds to mature and bloom the following spring. You'll need to buy low-chill varieties. The good news is that cultivars have been bred for warmer zones (generally to zone 8). While lilacs aren't fussy, they Read more

Lilacs produce seeds in seed heads. The lilac bushes do not bloom immediately after they are established. It usually takes at least three years before you get blooms on your lilacs. Once your lilac bush starts flowering, your plant will start producing lilac seed pods Read more

On lilacs, as on many plants, powdery mildew is mainly a disease of senescence, that is, of aging. It mainly attacks the leaves towards the end of their useful period (end of August and September). That's why it doesn't really harm the shrub: by then, Read more

Powdery mildew is seldom serious, causing more of an aesthetic problem than harm to lilac plants. As with many diseases, the best way to control powdery mildew is to prevent its occurrence. Because the disease is seldom serious, chemical control measures are not usually warranted.

Lilacs are hardy, easy to grow, and low maintenance. They can grow from 5 to 15 feet tall, depending on the variety. The fragrant flowers are good for cutting and attractive to butterflies.

Lilacs are free of poisons from the tips of their branches to the ends of their roots. In fact, the flowers of the lilac are actually edible. If you have heard that lilacs are poisonous, you have mistaken the bush for a plant called Persian Read more

Some highly fragrant flowers that do not aggravate allergies can still be irritants with their potent scents. In close quarters, they may be best enjoyed outdoors and not brought inside. These include gardenia, hyacinth, jasmine, and lilacs.

It's wise to deadhead your lilac once it's finished blooming for the season. With a clean, good quality pair of pruners, cut the spent blooms off.

Lilac, syringa, is a garden classic, flowering in late spring. Its pale purple, pink or white flowers are excellent for cutting and work well in bouquets. Lilacs can be grown as a shrub or small tree, so work well in many garden situations, both in Read more

When to Trim Lilac Bushes The best time for pruning lilac bushes is right after their flowering has ceased. This allows new shoots plenty of time to develop the next season of blooms. Pruning lilacs too late can kill young developing buds.

Without enough sunlight, the plant often will not bloom. Lilac bushes prefer full sun. Sometimes a late freeze can knock the flowers or the start of the flowers right off the bush. If your lilac bush is not blooming, you might want to think back Read more

The adult form of this pest is the clearwing moth, which is similar to a wasp. Lilac damage is produced primarily by lilac borer larvae, which feeds on the sapwood of the plant. Scale insects are another lilac pest, which damage lilacs by sucking the Read more

As a general rule for all lilacs, they should be pruned immediately after they're done flowering in the spring. Since lilacs set next year's flower buds right after the current year's flowers have faded, pruning later in the summer or fall will result in cutting Read more

Trim the plant annually, right after it finishes blooming, to improve vigor. Remove weak branches until you have a clump of seven to 10 stems of varying ages. Thin out top growth to let sunlight into the center of the lilac. New buds will form Read more

Lilacs originated in Eastern Europe and Asia and were brought over to America by colonists in the 17th century. Although they weren't native to the United States, they quickly became popular with Americans.

Space medium-sized lilacs that are 6 to 8 feet tall at maturity 2 to 4 feet apart. For larger lilacs, which will be taller than 8 feet at maturity, plant about 4 to 6 feet apart. Once the plants mature, larger lilac plants can spread Read more

Lilacs are hardy shrubs, meaning that they need very little care to survive. They can withstand temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 C) but may need some protection from icy winds that damage the flower buds. To help flower production, lilacs need cold winters to Read more

Lilacs should be pruned yearly to develop a good framework of stems and promote vigorous growth that enhances flowering. Removing stems may be done immediately after flowering, or, if you don't mind sacrificing a few blossoms, in late winter. Shoots and stems should be cut Read more

Too much water can diminish the oxygen in the soil by filling in air pockets with water, which chokes the roots of the lilac. Witling of the plant is the first sign that the lilac is overwatered.

The new shoots will grow over the summer, set flower buds, and be topped off with a flower cluster the following spring. While not as important as the yearly thinning, removing the old blossoms allows more of the plant's energy to be directed into growing Read more

Lilacs require full sunlight to flower properly. They must be planted where they will get six hours of light per day. Also, they do not appreciate being planted near other trees, which could hinder their development.

With its flower power and extended bloom time, 'Lilac Falls' is one perennial growers, landscapers and gardeners will surely fall in love with.

Lilac plants have been popular for many generations and are still a staple for many yards and garden areas. Lilacs do not contain any chemicals or toxins that will poison humans or animals and they do not irritate the skin.

Growing a lilac bush in a pot is a possibility. When selecting a lilac variety for a decorative pot, look for a dwarf variety such as our Bloomerang® Dwarf Purple Lilac. Ideal placement for potted lilacs can be balconies, rooftop patios, decks, and very small Read more

Grass clippings and coffee grounds can be used as a good source of nitrogen. Use sparingly, as too much nitrogen in the soil will result in poor blooms. Lilacs grow best in slightly alkaline (6.5 to 7.0 pH), moist, well-drained soil. Adding bone meal to Read more

Lastly, lilacs do not like overly acidic soil. One trick to encouraging them to bloom is fertilizing them with Epsom salts during the dormant period. Epsom salts are a good natural fertilizer for lilacs and tomatoes. Add about one cup of Epsom salts to the Read more

During its dormant time, the lilac bush can look dead with its scraggly branches. However, there are a few things you can do to make sure it is alive. Scratch the surface of the lilac bush's bark with a pocketknife. If you see green beneath Read more

The most common causes of yellowing leaves on ornamental trees and shrubs such as lilac are overwatering or poorly draining soils and an iron deficiency called iron chlorosis. Overwatering results in yellowing, then browning leaves and leaf drop. Dig down 12 inches in the soil Read more

Common Diseases of Lilacs Be on the lookout for these diseases: Bacterial blight – The bacteria Pseudomonas syringae causes early shoot and branch dieback, distorted leaves, and leaf spots that start out olive green but soon develop water-soaked areas. Those spots turn brown with yellow Read more

Winterizing Lilac Shrubs They can withstand temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 C) but may need some protection from icy winds that damage the flower buds. They need well-draining soil to prevent frozen water from damaging their roots and killing the tree.