Lilacs

Varieties
Lilacs comes in all sizes and colors. The most popular lilacs are of from the family syringa vulgaris. These include the common purple, common white, Charles Joly (magenta), Krasivtsa Moskvy (double white) and Michel Buchner (double lilac) just to mention a few.

Dwarf varieties include Miss Kim (Syringa patula 'Miss Kim'), a 5-6’ May bloomer that looks and smells just like a common lilac, and Dwarf Korean Lilac (Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'), growing 4-5’ tall. Dwarf Korean Lilac has small heart-shaped leaves and a fragrant bloom reminiscent of lavender.

Bailey Nurseries has introduced several new dwarf lilacs in its Fairytale Series of Lilacs. Tinkerbelle™ (Syringa 'Bailbelle') with single, pink blooms and Fairy Dust™ (Syringa 'Baildust') with pale blush pink blooms. Both attain a height of 5-6' and are versatile additions to the landscape.

Persian Lilac is a delicate looking shrub with a true lilac bloom and fragrance. It is easily pruned and a profuse bloomer. A tree form white lilac named Ivory Silk Tree is also a late bloomer and very fragrant.

Soil Preparation and Planting
Lilacs don't like wet feet and prefer well-drained soil with a pH of 6.8 if possible. If you have heavy clay soil work in peatmoss and coarse sand to improve the drainage.

It is important to plant lilacs 2 to 3 inches higher than ground level. If they are planted too deeply they will not bloom, or may drown.

Lilacs are not heavy feeders. One application of tree and shrub fertilizer in the spring after bloom buds begin forming is sufficient. Too much fertilizer will prevent blooming and encourage rampant growth.

Pruning
Lilacs should only be pruned immediately after blooming. Late pruning will reduce the number of blooms. Vulgaris varieties should not be “cut back.” They should be thinned by rejuvenation pruning (removing 1/3 of the oldest wood every 2 to 3 years.) If your lilacs get too large you may cut them back but you will drastically reduce their bloom.

FAQs-
Q- When should I prune my Lilacs?

A-It's vital that lilacs are pruned shortly after they bloom. Flower buds begin to form by July and would be removed by fall pruning. Most early spring blooming shrubs follow this rule. If you must prune them in fall, you won't harm the plant, but bloom will be poor at best.

Allisonville Nursery
garden center, garden gifts, landscaping
11405 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038

Phone 317.849.4490
Fax 317.849.5948

We are not a mailorder nursery. Plants and products are
available for pick-up at our Fishers, Indiana location.

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