Master Gardener Scoop

by Debbie Czarnopys-White, Master Gardener

The scents of lilacs are beginning to fill the air. You might think that it is too late to go shopping for lilacs, but it's the perfect time. You can see what is in bloom starting now and through late May and even into June. There are early, mid-season, and late-blooming lilacs and I recommend you either buy from a reputable mail order catalog or go to a local plant place and pick your own. I actually prefer to select my own, unless it is not available locally. When you pick your own, you can make sure it is healthy and has branches all around the bush, instead of just some sides. The other lesson I have learned in buying lilacs is that, like all plants, sometimes they just get mislabeled. You might think you're buying one type and you get a surprise. Sometimes a pleasant surprise, but sometimes a disappointment.

I really recommend you do your homework first and check out what kind of species and cultivar of lilac you want. The species is the long Latin name after the word "lilac". The cultivar is the plant created by crossing different plants to create a new one.

There are countless varieties of lilacs and like many other plants, new ones are being created yearly. The seven color classifications of lilacs include, white, lilac, pink, violet, magenta, purple and blue. There are also bi-tones, which means there are two colors in the bloom. I can't tell you the difference between the lilacs, violets, magentas and purples. Colors get printed differently sometimes in catalogs, so just check it out for yourself.

Where do the lilacs originate from? Many come from France, other Canada, and some are even starting to come from Belgium and Russia. A small number originate from the United States, so I would recommend thinking about an international type of selection of lilacs or just get the colors, shapes and sizes that you like. The list of early and late-blooming plants are about half that of the mid-season ones.

The hardiness of lilacs is the next area to explore. The growing zone for lilacs is 3 to 7. Were in the high 5 to 6 range so we are in an excellent location. Lilacs need full sun and can sometimes tolerate slight shade but they really don't like it. They prefer a rich, well-drained soil with a neutral pH, which is about 6.5 to 7. In caring for lilacs, they are prone to powdery mildew disease, so provide good air circulation by keeping their branches open. If you need to prune, do it right after blooming is over. If you wait longer than a couple of weeks, you risk cutting off next year's blooms. In addition to branch pruning, cut the dead flowers off when they're done blooming. This will prevent the seed from forming and thereby promote stronger root health and more profuse flowering the next spring. Make sure the soil drains well or the plant will have a quick life and sure death.