Flowering Shrub: Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)

The Lilac is a moderate growing shrub with attractive dark green foliage. Lilacs are beautiful, woody plants that produce clusters of very perfumed blossoms in a large variation of colours. Lilac bushes bear large fragrant blossoms in late spring and early summer. The colours of single or double lilac flowers range from red, blue, and purple, to white and creamy yellow.

Lilac shrubs can grow up to 8-10 feet high and wide. Grow lilacs in full sun to very light shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil. The fragrant heart-shaped lilac leaves are arranged opposite each other on the shrub's branches. These shrubs are excellent for hedges and can also be planted as a specimen plant. Lilac bushes also make extremely attractive lawn ornaments and grow well along streets and footpaths.

Planting and Caring for Lilac Bushes

Lilac bushes have fairly standard water requirements, and can be grown in most well-drained soil, especially one that is alkaline, as long as it doesn't collect water in spring time. It is beneficial to add peat moss or leaf mould to the soil to foster lilac growth.

If the soil is shallow or poor, the lilac shrub will benefit from mulching with decayed manure or feeding with liquid fertilizer in May or June. Pruning consists of removing the dead flower heads and pinching the excessively long shoots off the shrub during the summer. As with any shrub, it is a good idea to thin crowded branches to prevent mildew.

Lilacs may be propagated via seeds, cuttings or layering. The species or wild types can be increased by sowing seeds in light soil in a greenhouse or frame, as soon as they are ripe, or the following spring.