Unknown species of lilac
The lilacs that we usually see in gardens are a variation of a single species, Syringa Vulgaris; only the flower changes: single, double, pink, white... The leaves and the port of the shrub are always the same.
However, there are 22 species such as, for example, the parsley-leaved lilac, the Afghan lilac, the laciniate lilac, meyeri palibin, or the lilac oblata which is the first to flower. To these 22 species, we must add the many varieties.
As for Syringa Vulgaris, the common lilac, there are hundreds of varieties. They are preferred by gardeners, which is quite surprising considering that the other species have the same characteristics.
Lilacs of any kind are plants that grow on most soils, are very hardy, have a fragrant bloom and are very flowering. The sizes can vary: some varieties are of medium size (2 meters high), while others do not exceed 1 meter in height.
The flowering of lilacs
All lilacs bloom in spring but some are earlier than others. If you make a good arrangement in your garden, you can get 3 months of lilac bloom.
The earliest is Syringa oblata, which blooms in late March and has single white flowers. It grows up to 2 or 3 meters high. Later, the Preston Lilacs, Canadian hybrids, bloom at the end of May. As for Syringa reticulata, the tallest of the lilacs (6 meters high), it blooms at the beginning of June.
Conditions for growing lilacs
Lilacs, whatever they are, are very undemanding plants as to the nature of the soil, which resist to very cold temperatures, between -30 and -40°C (we must remember that they are almost all native to the Himalayan hillsides).
Lilacs are full sun plants. Shade is detrimental to flowering. On the other hand, because of their origins, they appreciate a certain coolness of the soil. In the South, watering may be necessary during the summer. Leaves that hang down will be the signal of a lack of water.
Pruning lilacs
Some say that lilacs are pruned in clumps, implying that lilacs do not need pruning. However, it does tolerate pruning very well, provided that it is done just after flowering, so as not to remove the flower and to obtain a bloom the following year. A pruning done in winter suppresses the bloom the following spring.
If you have old lilacs, a rejuvenation pruning can be done, but in this case, the next bloom will be compromised. To lessen the trauma, it is advisable to prune in two times: cut large branches very short, but only every other one. The following year you will finish the pruning.
Cultivation of lilacs in pots
The culture in pot is possible on the condition that you bring him food and water regularly.
