Pity the tropical gardener who has never breathed the scent of lilacs in the spring. This olive family (Oleaceae) genus is made up of only around 20 species but was so greatly developed by Lemoine and later hybridizers that the selection is now huge. Syringa,or lilac, species are mainly deciduous shrubs and trees, and naturally occur from southeastern Europe to Japan. They have simple, pointed, elliptical or heart-shaped leaves and in spring produce upright panicles of small 4-petalled flowers with an overpowering fragrance. Flowers may be white or shades of pink, red, purple, and blue. The genus name comes from the Greek syrinx (a pipe), which refers to the hollow stems, and is also the origin of the word syringe.
CULTIVATION
Mostly hardy, Syringa plants prefer full or half sun and fertile, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. The roots can be invasive, and continually removing suckers can weary even the most ardent lilac lover. Propagate species by seed or cuttings, and cultivars by cuttings or grafting.
Top Tip
Because most lilacs bloom on the previous year's wood, pruning should be done immediately after the flowers have finished. To encourage new growth, the old stems should be cut out each year.
CULTIVATION
Mostly hardy, Syringa plants prefer full or half sun and fertile, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. The roots can be invasive, and continually removing suckers can weary even the most ardent lilac lover. Propagate species by seed or cuttings, and cultivars by cuttings or grafting.
Top Tip
Because most lilacs bloom on the previous year's wood, pruning should be done immediately after the flowers have finished. To encourage new growth, the old stems should be cut out each year.
No comments:
Post a Comment