Wild lilac shrub. Lilac: description, variety, cultivation
|
Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
|
Lilac - one of the most ancient and widespread ornamental crops. In terms of its popularity among beautifully flowering shrubs, it is second only to a rose and enjoys a well-deserved authority, both among gardeners and professionals. For many landscape designers varietal lilac is a kind of "magic wand."
This shrub is really universal for the landscaper. It is winter-hardy, has a long, lush and fragrant flowering, has a dense crown, protecting the site not only from dust and wind, but also from prying eyes.
Lilac lives long and unpretentious care. All she usually needs is a fair amount of light, a non-acidic and rather fertile soil, and more or less regular fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers.
Lilac is combined with most woody and herbaceous plants in a wide variety of compositions. Everyone loves her, because for a person who is far from decorating his summer cottage, lilac is associated with spring, good weather and a carefree mood.
Only one drawback of lilac ornamentation can be noted - a dim autumn color of foliage (as a rule, it is light green or yellowish green) or its complete absence (leaves of varietal lilacs usually turn black from the onset of frost).
Two European species are common in culture - common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and Hungarian lilac (Syringa josikaea). They are well developed in the breeding plan, the number of their varieties and hybrid forms in the tens and hundreds of names. A rare household plot in Russia does without them. Some gardeners, given the fact that the "Hungarian" blooms 10-14 days later than the ordinary lilac, planted both species side by side to extend the total decorative period.
There is a fairly solid range of wild species, which, unfortunately, are known mainly to specialist dendrologists and are used very rarely in landscaping. Meanwhile, they are not inferior in decorative properties to well-known varieties, and in terms of their winter hardiness and ease of care, they are often superior. Many of these "strangers" have an original appearance and flowering time, significantly different from the timing of flowering of ordinary lilacs. They differ in color, shape, abundance of inflorescences and even in their flavor. True, not all of them can please us with their smell, but as a compensation this minority has a lush and long flowering.
These little-known lilacs come from the richest in floristic eastern part of Asia, from the mountainous regions of the Himalayas, China, Korea, Japan and from the Russian Far East. There, they often live in fairly harsh conditions at an altitude of two to four thousand meters above sea level, with which is associated with their high resistance to the continental climate of central Russia.
Here is a list of these species: velvety lilac (Syringavelutina), p. Wolf (S. wolfii), p. Himalayan (S. emodi), p. Zvegintsova (S. sweginzowii), p. Komarova (S. komarowii), p. small-leaved (S.microphylla), p. Shaggy (S. villosa), p. drooping (S. reflexa), p. Fluffy (S. pubescens), p. thin-haired (S. tomentella), p. coniferous forests (S. pinetorum), p. broadleaf (S. oblata), p. Julia (S. julianae), p. Yunnan (S. yunnanensis).
Far East species of truskuns can rightly be attributed to this list. These large shrubs are very close in origin and appearance to lilacs, and therefore many botanists attribute them to the genus Lilac. This is Amur treskun (Ligustrina amurensis or Syringaamurensis), T. Peking (L. pekinensis or S. pekinensis) and T. Japanese (L. amurensis var. Japonica). The listed names reflect the oriental charm of rare plants, and, as it is easy to see, the role of many domestic scientists in the study of the plant world of the Far East is indicated.
There is not enough space to talk about all the decorative features of the wonderful oriental species of lilac in this article, and there is no urgent need for it. An inquisitive reader can find a detailed description in popular books about woody plants or special academic publications. Note the individual bright features.
Those who will pick up plants for the tone of the inflorescences should be aware that many of these species have light-colored flowers - cream, pale-lilac or white with a yellowish tinge (velvety lilac, himalayan village, softwood forest, forestry Julia, S. Yunnanskaya, S. Thin-hair, all kinds of codfish).
Wolf's lilac (lilac-violet inflorescences) are more brightly painted; Komarova (purplish-pink), p. small-leaved (rose-lilac), p. broadleaf (light purple), p. shaggy (pink and purple).
Two species, namely lilac drooping and Zvegintsov's lilac, are especially appreciated for the excellent contrast between the dark-colored buds and the light open flowers of pinkish-white tone, which is especially noticeable against the background of dark green foliage. But this “beautiful couple”, as well as Himalayan lilac, have a sharp and unpleasant smell, which must be taken into account when placing plants near people’s resting places.
But all the other oriental beauties are very attractive in this respect.
Especially fragrant species consider velvety lilac, with. Wolf, s. shaggy, with. fluffy and with. Yunnan. Strong honey aromas are distinguished by codfish, which are also famous for their lush and long flowering. The duration of the flowering period in eastern lilacs ranges from two to three weeks, but sometimes, depending on weather conditions, the type of plant and its vital state, stretches for a longer time.
On the timing of flowering must be told separately. The very first of these species blooms fluffy lilac: in the middle zone of the European part of Russia, its buds bloom simultaneously with ordinary lilac or a little earlier.
Almost synchronously with our lilac (in the middle or in the second half of May) bloom from. Himalayan, with. broadleaf, with. coniferous forests and with. Yuliya.
Two weeks later, together with the Hungarian lilac, velvety lilac blossoms, s. Wolf, s. Zvegintsov, with. Komarov and with. small-leaved.
Even later, in the middle and second half of June, it is the turn of a lilac wilted, p. fine hair, with. shaggy The end of flowering of these species occurs at the end of June or the beginning of July.
The lilac season is completed by three species of codfish, the peak of which bloom in the first half of July.
The last blooming Japanese treskun - by mid-July. Such an unusual range of flowering will allow the gardener, who will set a goal to create a collection of species and varieties of lilacs (the so-called "syringarii"), to enjoy their bright beauty for two months.
Another factor that will have to be considered when creating syringaria or complex compositions with other ornamental plants is the height of the plants.
The tallest are codfish, which are already different from all lilacs. Peking treskun reaches 10-12 meters in full development, the Amur treskun and his Japanese sibling can grow to 15-20, and sometimes up to 25 meters, and have the appearance of multi-stem trees rather than large bushes.
The most modest sizes are small-leaf lilacs, with. Julia, with. broadleaf, with. coniferous forests, with. fluffy and with. velvety. Their height is on average from 1.5 to 3 m. Other species usually have a height of 3.5 to 5 m.
The conditions for keeping wild lilacs are simple. First of all, this is a sufficient amount of light - in the shady places near the lilacs the crown is thinned and the state of life worsens. Secondly, the soil requirements - the planting pit should be filled with fertile, non-heavy and non-acidic soil mixture with moderate moisture capacity (an exception is made for wilted lilacs, which prefers a weakly acidic soil reaction).
Lilacs, like most highly ornamental crops, do not tolerate excessive moisture and dry soil. In this case, regular watering will be sufficient. And, of course, eastern lilacs react very well to fertilizing with compost and small doses of mineral fertilizers, among which in the second half of summer nitrogen should be excluded from the diet.
Lilacs are well propagated by seeds. Usually, in this case, pre-winter shallow sowing should be carried out in a bed or box with loose soil. Since the species described above are wild-growing, all of their signs are completely preserved by seed progeny. Many species reproduce well with semi-lumbering cuttings: more than half take root in cold greenhouses by autumn. In a special position, as always, codfish, which are able to give quite suitable for transplantation root offspring.
Types of lilacs of the Far Eastern and Chinese flora are beautiful and unusual. They are able to decorate the urban landscape and private land ownership.
But besides the dim autumn decorations (which can be successfully compensated by planting lilacs next to other plants that have advantages in this regard), the “Oriental beauties” have another significant drawback. It is not associated with the biological characteristics of these species, but is the result of the short-sightedness of the leaders of domestic nurseries. The disadvantage is that the gardener does not know where to buy seedlings of these plants. Let's hope that in the near future, this deficiency will disappear.
"Lilac! Darling lilac, you give hope to your soul. A long-awaited day will come - magic lilac comes to us."
L. Dubinskaya
Hello dear readers!
What do you think is the smell of spring? I think that many will now, without hesitation, answer - this is an exciting and charming aroma. lilac.
After our long and cold winter, its lush flowering and wonderful aroma create an indescribable magical atmosphere, and if you add to this the trumpets of the nightingale singing during the lilac flowering, then a piece of paradise in a given summer cottage is provided to us.
Once, in ancient times, the young god Pan, the patron of meadows and forests, walked through the forest. He was met on the way by the beautiful nymph of Siring - the messenger of the dawn.
Pan fell in love with a beautiful woman and began to pursue her. The girl was frightened and turned into a unearthly beauty fragrant bush of lilac flowers.
- In Greek "lilac" means "tubule". The saddened Pan made a pipe from a beautiful tree and when he played on it, he sadly recalled the tender nymph. So there was a lilac.
In Europe, the beauty came only in the 16th century and instantly gained popularity. Lilac in the garden became an integral element of all Russian estates.
In the spring mansions, parks and gardens simply flooded the scent of fragrant flowers. Our ancestors treated the tender tree with special care.
Modern flower life
Lilac Is a genus of shrub trees of the olive family. It has a wide crown and inflorescences collected in clusters.
Most varieties (and they already have more than 600 species) come from common lilacs. Shrub varieties vary in size and color of inflorescences: from snow white to bright purple.
- The aroma of flowers is so strong and bright that they are not recommended to be kept in the walls of the house - it can cause headaches.
Gentle tree is famous not only for its beauty and smell. ethnoscience Since ancient times, this plant is honored as a powerful medicine for many ailments.
Lilac as a talented healer
AT therapeutic purposes used tree bark, buds, flowers and leaves.
The leaves are harvested for healing purposes in June, in dry, calm weather. They are dried at + 40-60 ° C in a dryer or on the street, in the shade.
Lilac bark comes only from a young stalk. Inflorescences come together with the twigs during budding. They are bundled and dried under a canopy or in the attic.
- Attention! For the use of shrubs for medicinal purposes, only lilac-ordinary is suitable, other types are not suitable.
♦ Alcohol tincture inflorescences. Used as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and diuretic. It is useful for bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, stone-kidney disease, rheumatism, polyarthritis. Well helps tincture with diarrhea and peptic ulcers.
♦ Decoction of the kidneys. This is an indispensable tool in the treatment of diabetes. They gather in early spring. Kidneys (10 g) pour water and slowly boil for 10 minutes. Filter and dilute the decoction with water to the same volume. Is ingested three times a day and 1 tbsp. l
♦ Lilac leaves. They are good at removing headaches, healing boils and wounds. Ointment from the juice of the leaves, mixed with pork fat (1x4) helps with arthritis, neuralgia and rheumatism.
The most beautiful varieties of wood
Among the huge number of species of flowers you can easily get confused. What to choose for the garden?
Among the ornamental tree species, the following varieties can be recommended, considered the best for planting with the most beautiful flowers:
♦ Varieties of Russian breeding: Beauty of Moscow (white-pink, mother-of-pearl), Dream (rich lilac), Leonid Leonov (purple-lilac), Memory of Kirov (light-purple lilac), Amur (cream), Galina Ulanova (snow-white), Japanese ( white-pink), Gastello (soft-purple), Daughter Tamara (white-purple), Alexey Maresyev (creamy-pink), India (light ruby), Red Moscow (rich bard), Morning of Moscow (pinkish-lilac) .
♦ Lilac varieties of foreign breeders: Marie Legrey (white), Remembering Louis Schliete (carmine-purple), Marshal Lunn (dark purple-purple), Buffon (light pink purple), Katerina Havemeyer (purple-purple), Poincaré (deep lilac with pink-purple) , Condorcet (soft blue), Vestalka (bright white), Madame Lamuan (pure white).
All shrubs bloom in different periods, so by creating a collection of lilac trees in your garden, you will enjoy fragrant flowering until the end of July and the beginning of August.
Beauty is time to our garden
Lilac growing ideally take place in well-lit, warm places, sheltered from the winds and drafts.
The most suitable soil is light loam, well fertilized with mineral and organic fertilizers.
- The plant is very sensitive to excess moisture! Even a small stagnation of water can cause the dying off of the tender shrub roots. Make sure that the deep water does not reach the surface of 1.5-2 meters.
In areas with a cool climate, lilac will feel good on elevated areas - after all, cold air gathers and stagnates in lowland areas.
This is an unpretentious tree that is well accustomed and tolerates frost well.
Preparing the soil
Prepare the plot is best in the spring. Remove all the turf from the landing zone and large stones.
If the soil is too acidic, it must be limestone (1/2 cup of lime per well) and additionally add lime around the trunk of the tree each spring.
We fertilize: compost or manure (10-15 kg), potash fertilizers (20-25 g) and phosphate (60-80 g) per square meter. m. And we dig the ground well.
Planting lilac
The best time to plant a tree is late July-early September. Plant shrubs in overcast or evening.
We select saplings
The young growth should have a well-developed root system of 25-30 cm. Shorten a little crown of an annual tree (by 2-3 bud pairs).
If the roots are too long, they are carefully cut, damaged, patients are removed.
It will be useful for novice gardeners to know and distinguish between a capable and grafted lilac.
♦ Root own. It is grown by green grafting. Such specimens are stronger and frost resistant, more quickly restored after freezing and more durable. They have no growth of stock, therefore it is easier to care for them (the stock has to be cut several times a season, it weakens the tree greatly).
♦ Graft (hybrid). Grafted lilac saplings grow faster, begin to bloom in the third year. But it blooms later in the root days for 7-10. When planting such a tree, it is important to know what the vaccination was done for. Usually they are made on the lilac wildflower, on the Hungarian and on the privet:
- A grafted tree is planted on a lilac-ordinary tree just above the ground level, in a small mound (5-10 cm). This helps reduce the growth of off-grade shoots.
- The grafted shrub on the Hungarian lilac or privet, on the contrary, is buried 5-8 cm in the ground. This must be done in order to transfer the seedling to its own roots soon.
Digging a hole
The distance between the future trees varies depending on the type of shrub. On average, the value between adjacent shrubs should be 2-3 meters.
The pit itself should be with steep edges, dimensions:
- On the fertile land 50x50x50 cm
- On more depleted soils and sandstones about 100x100x100 cm.
Prepare in advance the substrate of a mixture of compost or humus (15-20 kg), wood ash (200-300 g), bone meal (1 kg) and superphosphate (20-30 g).
If the soil is acidic, double the amount of superphosphate - it helps to neutralize the soil.
♦ How to plant a lilac. Fill the prepared pits with water before planting the tree.
Carefully place the young growth in the center of the pit, spread the roots evenly and cover it with the prepared substrate.
Well seal it around the shrub and water abundantly. When the water is fully absorbed, grind the soil.
- For mulch, peat, humus or half-ripe sheet is ideal. The layer of mulch should be up to 5-7cm.
It is possible to additionally install supports (for the first year of the life of the young plant). They are required without fail, if the terrain is windy.
Beauty care
Top dressing
Lilac bush does not need much fertilizer. This is a self-sufficient plant.
After the first fertilizer when planting a second time, you can feed the tree only a year later.
♦ Fertilizers for the second year of life. They are brought at a distance of about half a meter from the trunk of a bush in the spring:
- Nitrogen. Urea (50-60 g) or ammonium nitrate (65-80 g) per tree. The first time after the thawing of the soil, then twice with a break of 20-25 days.
- Organic They are more useful for wood. Slurry (1x5 ratio), mullein infusion (1x4 ratio) and bird droppings (1x12 ratio), where one part is water. Consumption of 1-3 buckets on the shrub.
- Ash. Ash solution (200 g per 8 l of water). Wood ash is considered the best fertilizer for lilacs. It is made when loosening to a depth of 7 cm. Consumption 200-400 g per square. m. it also reduces the acidity of the earth.
♦ Autumn feeding (once in 2-3 years). Top dressing is brought to a depth of 6-8 cm:
- Potash and phosphate. Double superphosphate (35-40 g), potassium nitrate (30-35 g). Based on one shrub.
- Organics. Compost or humus (consumption of 10-20 kg per plant).
Lilac pruning
To shrub acquired a beautiful shape and began to bloom profusely and constantly, it must be periodically cut. The plant tolerates this operation very well.
Pruning should be done annually only in May and early June.
- If you are late with pruning and make it late - next season the shrub may bloom a little.
- If you cut a tree in winter, you will not wait for flowers at all.
♦ Regulating flowering. When the inflorescences all flourish - we will cut the blooming flowers. If we do not do this, they will quickly fade and will energetically take energy from the tree.
Simultaneously with cutting flowers, remove and faded buds.
- Cut flowers only at their base!
♦ Pinching. The tops of too long, healthy branches also need to be trimmed. This will give the lilac a more beautiful appearance.
Pinching is done near the nearest side shoots. If a long branch has no side shoots, cut it near the nearest bud or node.
- Pruning long shoots stimulates the formation of lateral, strong branches.
♦ Thinning. Carefully inspect the tree. If he has withered, flabby, darkened or dead branches - they should be carefully cut at the very base.
- Thinning increases the circulation of fresh air in the tree and contributes to its healthier growth.
♦ Shrub rejuvenation. Rejuvenating pruning is stronger, it strongly stimulates the growth of a tree of young shoots.
It is necessary to do it in the case of a formless plant, its strong growth. After such pruning, the tree will resume flowering only next year.
Determine whether your plant is vaccinated. Grafted lilac pruned need to be especially careful.
Find the area of the tree on the main trunk, where there is a difference in the color of the bark. This is a vaccination site.
It is necessary to cut each branch closer to the soil from 1/2 to 1/3 of its entire length. But make sure that the circumcision is carried out above the site of vaccination.
♦ Circumcision shoots. Sprouts - young shoots growing from the main stalk or close to it from the ground. They need to be cut off completely and at the root.
Stump "steals" all the juice from lilac and weakens it. A healthy, strong shrub should have no more than 3 main trunks.
How to propagate shrubs
All cultivated plant varieties breed by growing season in three ways: grafting, green cuttings and layers.
♦ Layers. The easiest way. When a tree grows under a tree, it can be planted. But an important condition - the shrub must be self-rooted.
When the layers take root, they are separated from the uterine trunk and planted separately 5-6 cm deeper from the beginning of the root. This provides lilac active rooting.
Branch plants can bloom in the third year.
♦ Cutting. In this way, a root tree is obtained.
Only summer (green) cuttings with leaves are suitable for reproduction. The ideal time for grafting is when shoots finish their growth (the time of collective flowering of the shrub).
For cuttings need to take shoots from the middle part of the crown (medium in thickness).
- The younger the tree, the stronger will be its cuttings. The stalk consists of three pairs of buds and two internodes. Lower leaves are removed, and the upper shortened. Make the lower cut closer to the lower buds, cutting the tree along the oblique.
To cut the roots, place them in a box with nutrient soil, and top with a substrate 5 cm (a mixture of vermiculite, coarse-grained perlite, peat, and sand).
Place the lilac cuttings there so that the lower buds are covered with soil, compact the soil and water. Cover with foil.
- They need high humidity, so regularly spray the cuttings with water, aerate them. Do not allow water to stagnate in the ground.
After 8-12 weeks, the roots will appear. Toward the end of this period, arrange their airing more often, preparing for adulthood.
And you can replant them next spring or (even better) next autumn.
♦ Vaccination. This method is suitable for any kind of wood. Inoculate the shrub in the spring in any way: budding (kidney-eye), cutting (copulation or behind the bark).
The best stock is a seedling of the same kind. The graft is prepared from an annual shrub, cut to the period of bud swelling. Store the scions before the grafting procedure in the refrigerator.
Lilac and imminent hazards
We need to be able to protect the lilac from the many threatening situations.
| Title | Description | Measure of struggle |
| Ring spots (viral disease) | On the leaves there are pictures in the form of stripes, curves and ringlets of green. | Complete destruction of diseased shrubs. |
| Mosaic (viral disease) | The crown is covered with pale yellow spots, the leaves thicken, curl and dry. | |
| Necrosis (bacterial disease) | The tops of young shoots begin to fade, then it turns black and takes on the appearance of a burn. | Spraying Bordeaux mixture. Perform the procedure 3 times with a break of 14 days. |
| Late blight (bacterial disease) | Lilac buds turn black and dry. The whole tree is covered with brown spots. | |
| Verticillary wilt (fungal disease) | Stunted, weak and withering leaves, the tree begins to die (die off) from the top. | Remove and burn all affected plants. |
Caterpillars and larvae of various insects can attack the lilac (moths, hawk moths, cycadas, mites).
To protect the shrub from pests, every spring and late autumn, dig the soil to a depth of 20
see At the same time turn over the layers of earth.
Properly select the neighbors of the shrub, correctly alternate the noble grass and weeds.
- Some weeds contribute to the reduction of various plant pests.
These herbs are good helpers in protecting against the attacks of harmful insects.
If lilac is not growing in your garden, then by all means plant it, because lilac is more than just a plant. This mood of a holiday and spring, a lilac out of fashion and time.
I want to invite you to listen to a wonderful song and admire our magic lilac.
Beautiful and fragrant garden and see you soon, dear readers!
Family: olive (Oleaceae).
Motherland
Southeast Europe, Asia. In nature, it is found only in the mountainous regions of Eurasia.
The form: woody shrub.
Description
Lilac is a multi-deciduous shrub, less commonly a tree. The leaves of lilac are simple, entire, ovate, oval or lanceolate, with pointed ends; however, there are lilacs with dissected and feathery leaves; long hold on the plant. Lilac flowers are relatively small, usually fragrant, funnel-shaped, gathered in more or less large paniculate inflorescences. As a result of selection, the color of lilac flowers can vary greatly, including all shades of lilac, pink, blue, magenta and even yellow. All types of lilacs can be divided into the following groups:
Common Lilac:
(S. vulgaris). Large shrub with numerous trunks up to 6 m tall. The flowers of lilac ordinary purple with a sweet smell, bloom in May. The leaves of lilac ordinary heart-shaped, dense, vezhee - green. Common lilac withstands partial shade, frost and wind resistant. Common lilac grows on any soil, but is sensitive to their compaction. It tolerates a haircut. Hedge of common lilac looks very impressive.
Broadleaf lilac (S. oblata). The leaves are large, turning purple in autumn. Lilac broadleaf blooms a few days earlier than ordinary lilac. Broadleaf lilac is famous for the fact that in the fall its leaves turn red, which is not inherent in other types of lilacs.
Hyacinthsweet Lilac , or lilac hyacinth (S. hyacinthiflora). Differs in early flowering. Hyacinthus lilac leaves are heart-shaped, in autumn they are painted in brown-purple tones. This type of lilac includes a lot of varieties and varieties.
Chinese lilac (S. chinensis). A large wide shrub with an openwork crown, up to 5 m in height, shoots slightly hanging down. Chinese lilac flowers are purple-pink with a pleasant sweetish aroma. This lilac blooms in mid-May. The leaves bloom early. Chinese lilac prefers the sun, tolerates elevated temperatures, wind-resistant, relatively winter-hardy. Chinese lilac soil prefers relatively dry or fresh, loamy. There are varieties of Chinese lilac with double flowers. By its decorativeness it is inferior only to common lilac.
Persian lilac
(S. persica). Medium shrub up to 3 m tall with dense branches. The leaves of lilac Persian lanceolate, pointed. The flowers are light purple, with a strong specific aroma. The Persian lilac blooms somewhat later than common lilac, very abundantly and continuously. Persian lilac is light-requiring, winter-hardy, drought-resistant, tolerates transplanting and shearing.
Lilac peristonadreznaya (S. laciniata).
Fluffy lilac (with slight pubescence on the leaves and inflorescences, with small, fragrant flowers):
Velvety lilac (S. velutina). Elegant shrub up to 3 m tall. The leaves are dark green, ovate-elliptical. Lilac flowers velvety lilac, with a white velvety cup, with a strong. Differs in strong, sharp, unique aroma. Lilac velvety blooms profusely within 10-12 days. Blooms 10-15 days later than common lilac.
Small-leaf lilac (S. microphylla). A small shrub (up to 1.5 m tall) with very small (up to 4 cm long) oblong leaves. It blooms in June. Small-leaved lilac inflorescences are friable, up to 7 cm long, with hairy branches and pale lilac flowers. Used in small gardens and rockeries. However, this type of lilac is not resistant to light.
(S.josikaea). Vertically growing large shrub, up to 4 m tall, gradually acquires an umbrella-like shape; trunks wide. Hungarian lilac flowers are dark purple with a pungent odor; bloom in late May - early June. Rough leaves, bluish below, orange-yellow in autumn. Hungarian lilac frost and wind resistant. Hungarian lilac soil prefers fresh to wet, acidic to slightly alkaline. Very unpretentious, steady type of lilac.
Fluffy lilac (S. pubescens).
(S. meyeri). Compact bushes up to 1.5 m in height. Leaves lilac Meier small, ciliate along the edges. The flowers are purple-lilac, fragrant. Meyer's lilac blooms in late May - early June. Slow-growing type of lilac.
Lilac Julia
(S. julianae). Compact plant up to 2 m tall. Differs in small fragrant flowers in openwork inflorescences.
Hairy lilac (wide shrubs up to 5 m tall, inflorescences hanging from small, fragrant flowers):
Lilac wilted (S. reflexa). Large wide shrub with numerous shoots up to 4 m tall; the ends of the shoots are hanging down. The lilac flowers are wilted pink-carmine, light pink with a strong smell inside, bloom in June-July. The leaves bloom early, rough, in autumn their color varies from light orange to yellowish. Lilac wilted maintains some shading, winter-hardy and wind-resistant. Lilac wilted soil prefers from acidic to neutral (you need to avoid a lot of lime).
Lilac Zvegintsov (S. sweginzowii). Shrub up to 4.5 m tall with a dense pyramidal crown. The leaves are broadly emitting, shiny, dark green above and gray-green below. Unlike other types of lilacs, Zvegintsov lilac inflorescences are a continuation of the shoot. The flowers are small, pink-white, fragrant. Blooms 5-10 days later than Hungarian lilac. Duration of flowering lilac Zvegintsov - 14-15 days.
Hairy lilac or shaggy (S. villosa). Dense shrub; leaves broadly, shiny top. Flowers lilac hairy or shaggy pink-purple, whitish. The smell of lilac hairy reminds flowers of privet. Hairy lilac or hairy blooms profusely 2-3 weeks later than common lilac.
Lilac Komarova (S. komarowii) distinguish narrow short (up to 15 cm in length) drooping inflorescences.
Wolf Lilac (S. wolfii). Powerful shrub up to 6 m tall. Wolf lilac leaves are large, oblong, glossy, dark green above and bluish below, with a gentle pubescence along the veins, in the autumn ohristo-yellow. Wolf's lilac flowers are small, purple-violet, reminiscent of privet flowers. Wolf lilac blooms for 20 days after the Hungarian lilac.
Peristolist (Pinnatifoliae):
Lilac Feathery (S. pinnatifolia). The leaves are dark green and the flowers are pinkish white.
Ligustrins, or Treskuny (Ligustrina) - a special group; flowers are more like flowers of plants from the genus Biryuchin (Ligustrum); bloom two weeks later Hungarian lilacs; inflorescences are large, fluffy, with small creamy-white flowers:
Amur lilac (S. amurensis). Large shrub up to 10 m tall. Amur lilac flowers are small, white or slightly cream. The protruding stamens and calyx, which is equal to the length of the corolla tube, are distinctive features cater from real lilacs. Leaves are like lilac leaves, bright green. The smell of Amur lilac resembles the smell of honey. Amur lilac blooms three weeks later than common lilac. Blooms profusely within 20 days, but much later than others - in July.
Lilac mesh (S. reticulata).
Growing conditions
Lilac prefers lit areas, protected from strong winds. The lilac stagnation of water is unacceptable, bogged or flooded places are not suitable for it in spring and autumn. Soil lilac prefers slightly acidic and fertile, well-drained, moderately moist. It is best to plant lilacs from the second half of July to the beginning of September (in late autumn and spring, lilac bushes are worse to take root), in cloudy weather or in the evening. Pristine zone in young plants for the winter should be peat.
Application
Lilac is one of the most popular flowering shrubs; in culture lilac from the mid 16th century. Lilacs - very ornamental shrubs. Lilac differs abundant, long flowering. Used in landscape gardening both in quality and in group plantings. Recently, gardens are very popular - syringaria, lilac bushes in which are selected according to the timing of flowering and flower color. Lilac collections are in the botanical gardens.
Lilac is used to create bouquets. Especially spectacular in cutting varieties of terry lilac.
Also, lilac is a good distillation plant. Lilac blooms can be obtained at any time during the winter period. The best lilac is obtained from varieties of common lilac, Persian and Chinese.
Care
After planting, the lilac is watered abundantly, and then the soil is mulched with peat or humus. It is recommended to loosen the soil in tree trunks 3-4 times per season, in spring and when weeding. Starting from the second year, the lilac bush should be fed with nitrogen fertilizers. Phosphate and potash fertilizers give in the fall once every 2 - 3 years. Effective also organic fertilizers. During the flowering and growth of shoots lilac abundantly watered; in the summer they only water in the heat. For abundant flowering lilac bushes spend. Thinning and sanitary pruning of lilac is carried out mainly in the early spring, but if necessary - during the whole growing season.
How to care for lilacs and how to plant lilacs can be found in various specialized books and magazines. You will find them in the section.
Breeding
Wild species of lilac propagated by seeds. Reproduction of lilac varietal produced by layering, cuttings or grafting.
Lilac seeds are harvested in October. The collected seeds of lilac are sown immediately after cleaning or in spring. When sowing in the spring for more friendly shoots, seeds are recommended.
Lilac cuttings are carried out in the period of mass flowering. Lilac cuttings are cut from annual shoots, from their middle part. The substrate for lilac cuttings can be pure river sand, perlite or a mixture of sand with vermiculite.
Lilac grafting is done by cutting or sleeping kidney (budding). The stock can be common privet, Hungarian lilac and common lilac. The grafted plants are grown in the form of a standard, semi-rational or bush form. The formation of the trunk start in the second or third year after vaccination. The height of the trunk can be 1-1.7 m. The standard lilac requires special care - you need to ensure that there is no overgrowth on the main shoot. Lilac on a trunk looks neat and unusual.
Lilac saplings can be purchased at garden centers or ordered online. It is better to choose lilac saplings with a closed root system.
Diseases and pests
Lilac pests: lilac moth, lilac hawk moth, lilac motley moth, kidney late blight, bacterial rot.
Popular varieties
The most common varieties of common lilac:
‘Andenken an Ludwig Spaeth’. The flowers are crimson-red, petals are simple. Lilac ‘Ludwig Shpet’ has a rounded bush.
‘Charles Joly’. The flowers are dark wine-red and carmine-pink, double petals. Late blooms. ‘Charles Joly’ - terry lilac.
‘General Pershing’. The flowers are carmine-pink inside, the outside is light purple, the petals are semi-double.
‘Katherine Havemeyer’. Flowers from lavender to light pink color, semi-double or double petals.
‘Marie Legraye’ - white lilac with simple petals.
‘Michel Buchner’. Purple flowers with a white center. ‘Michel Buechner’ - terry lilac.
‘Madame Antoine Buchner’. The flowers are light purple, terry petals.
‘Madame Lemoine’ - white lilac with terry petals. Lilac ‘Madame Lemoine’ blooms in splendidly, but very abundantly.
‘Mrs. Edward harding ’. The flowers are light crimson-red, terry petals.
‘Nadeshda’. Lilac ‘Hope’ has blue flowers with terry petals.
‘President Lincoln’. The flowers are blue, the petals are simple. Lilac ‘President Lincoln’ has a multi-stem structure.
‘President Poincare’. The flowers are crimson-pink, large inflorescences. Petals terry.
‘Primrose’. The flowers are light yellow, inflorescences are small, petals are simple.
‘Schoene von Moskau’ - lilac white terry. Lilac ‘Beauty of Moscow’ has pink buds, flowers are snow-white. Lilac inflorescences ‘Beauty of Moscow’ look bicolor, very long.
‘Victor Lemoine’. The flowers are light purple, petals are terry, the flowers are large, up to 3 cm in diameter, very fragrant. Lilac ‘Victor Lemoine’ blooms in late May - early June.
In old gardens you can often find white lilacs with simple flowers: ‘Swan’, ‘Mont Blanc’, ‘Flora’, ‘Eccellent’; as well as white lilacs with double flowers: са Alice Harding, ‘Miss Ellen Wilmott.
Lilac ‘Beauty of Moscow’ with large buds of double pink flowers and lilac ‘Red Moscow’ with purple-purple flowers are very popular.
Many varieties and varieties of hyacintholve lilac:
‘Buffon’. The buds are purple-purple, the flowers are simple, light purple with a pink tinge, with a strong pleasant aroma. Blooms profusely, one of the first, up to 20 days;
‘Ester Staley’. The buds are purple-red, the flowers are bright lilac-red, simple, fragrant, blooms very abundantly in the early stages, standing out by the brightness of the inflorescences;
‘Puple Gloiy’. The flowers are purple, very large up to 3.5 cm in diameter, simple, dense inflorescences;
‘Churchill’. The buds are red-purple, the flowers are silver-purple with a pink tinge, simple, slightly fragrant. Blooms profusely, but briefly, in the early stages.
We present the most popular species of lilac with photos. We give descriptions of species with indications of some varieties. In more detail the varieties of lilac are discussed in a separate article, link at the bottom of the page.
Popular types of lilac: top 7
The classification of lilac species is not fully formed, dear sources indicate their different number. We have selected for you the most popular species used in gardening and gardening.
Amur Lilac (Syringa amurensis)
This species belongs to some botanists in a separate genus Treskuny (Ligustrina (Ligustrina)) as the flowers are very close to the genus Biryuchin (Ligustrum). Therefore, it is also called Amur treskun.
Under natural conditions in Russia, a shrub (deciduous tree) with a height of 4-5 (10) meters can be found in the Far East. Good winter hardiness (up to −40 °). The plant is able to live 90-100 years.
Begins to bloom and bear fruit on the 9-12th year. Blossoming is plentiful, flowers are white large fragrant in dense inflorescences (panicle) 12-30 cm in length.
Blooms 25-30 days later than common lilac and Hungarian lilac 15-20 days: end of May - mid-June. Flowering lasts 18-20 days.
- Interesting fact. In 1959, during his first visit to the United States, Nikita Khrushchev presented Douita Eisenhower with lilacs and precisely Amur, which, with its impressive size, caused a stir in American society.
Popular variety: "Sudarushka".
Amur Lilac
Hungarian Lilac (Syringa josikaea)
Famous species from the group of hairy lilacs, since young shoots have hairs. The height of the bush is 6-7 meters, the diameter of the crown is 3-4 (7) meters. Lifespan 80-90 years.
Excellent winter hardiness, drought resistance, endurance to external adverse factors and even waterlogging. Does not give root offspring. Actively grown for vaccination with cultivars as a stock.
Blooms on the 5-6th year of life. Flowering lasts 20-24 days, starts 15-20 days later than common lilac: end of May - beginning of June. The inflorescences are located on the shoots of the current season, so spring shoots cannot be cut off, otherwise flowering will be broken.
- Two garden forms are most popular: pale - pale-violet flowers and red - reddish-violet flowers. Their peculiarity is that they have no smell.
Hungarian Lilac
Hyacinth lilac (Syringa x hyacinthiflora)
The species is most similar to ordinary lilac, created by crossing it and broadleaf lilac. Differs in earlier flowering (first blooms - May 1-10) and high winter hardiness.
For the feature of the earliest bloom and similarity of varieties with varieties of common lilac they are called - early hybrids. There is a species with double flowers.
Popular varieties: “Buffon” (Buffon), “Ester Staley” (Esther Staley), “Maiden’s Blush” (Madens Blush), “Sweetheart” (Sweetheart).
Lilac Hyacinth variety "Buffon" (Buffon) Lilac Meier (Syringa Meyeri)
A very popular type, which is becoming more and more common in the world and in Russia every year. The popularity is due to its compact size, which allows the plant to grow even on a very small plot of land.
Meyer's dwarf or undersized lilac is only 120-160 cm in height, therefore the standard form, also called the “balcony series”, is very popular. The bush blooms in the middle - the end of May with mauve flowers, repeated flowering is possible at the end of summer.
Popular varieties: "Bloomerang Pink Perfume" (Bloomerang pink perfume), "Bloomerang Purple" (Bluemerang perple), "Josee" (Josie), "Flowerfest" (Flower Fest), "Palibin" (Redibie), "Red Pixie" (Red Pixie) , "Tinkerbell" (Tinkerbell).
Meyer's lilac Palibin grade (Palibin) Lilac Persian (Syringa x persica)
Hybrid species derived from Afghan lilac and peristonadreznoy. The height of the shrub is 150-300 cm, and an average of 120-180 cm in culture. It is characterized by rapid growth: 35-40 cm per year. Winter hardiness is not high, in the middle lane, the suburbs freeze annual gains, and in a very cold winter the bush may die.
Begins to bloom in the 5th year. It blooms later than common lilac, about May 10-20th, 20-30 days. The flowers are light purple with a pink tinge, fragrant, but the fragrance is significantly different from other species.
Popular garden forms: “Alba” - white flowers, “Nibra” - red flowers, “Laciniata” - small lilac flowers, thin hanging branches.
Lilac Persian "Lacinata" Preston Lilac (Syringa prestoniae)
This species was obtained by crossing the lilac wilted and hairy, and gave the name of the breeder - Isabella Preston (Canada).
Preston's lilac is 2.6-3.8 m tall, it has large, pointed, broadly ovate leaves. Good winter hardiness, unpretentious care, but it needs regular formative trimming. Blooms in May pink simple flowers.
Popular varieties of lilac Preston
"Agnes Smith" (Agnes Smith), "Elinor" (Elinor), "Helene" (Helen), "Hiawatha" (Hiawatha ")," Minuet "(" Minuet ")," MissCanada "(Miss Canada)," Redwine "(" Redwine ").
Lilac Preston grade "Miss Canada" Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
The most popular type, which is loved very much for the amazing beauty of the inflorescences, high endurance, winter hardiness (up to −32 °), unpretentious care and drought resistance. The basis for most varieties.
Deciduous shrub with several trunks grows 3-4 (7) meters in height. Common lilacs can live for more than 100 years, but on average 40-50 years grow in our climate. Gives abundant shoots.
Blooms in early - mid May. The main form has a purple (lilac) color of large inflorescences, and in the culture there are varieties with pinkish and white flowers. Inflorescence 10-20 cm in length.
- On the territory of the CIS, it is cultivated on a large area: from the Carpathians to the Far East (southern and middle parts), the northern border is the latitude of the Leningrad (St. Petersburg) and Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg) regions.
Popular varieties of a very large number. We presented them with photos and descriptions in a separate article on lilac varieties at the bottom of the page - link.
Common Lilac ADDITION TO ARTICLE:
We wish you well-being and beautiful lilac in the garden!
Now the market has a large selection of lilac varieties, and it is difficult for the beginning summer resident to guess the nature of plant growth. After all, to determine its width and height in adulthood, looking at the sapling, is simply impossible. Therefore, in order to pick up this ornamental shrub for your plot, let's go over the most popular types of lilacs (with photos and names).
Description of lilac, types and varieties
Syrena (Syrínga) is an ornamental shrub of the Maslin family. The Persians called this plant the foxtail, and on the territory of Russia it had many names: buzok, nursery, chenille. From the last and went his current name - lilac.
In our view, lilac is a sprawling flowering shrub. That is how we used to see her. But in nature it can be anything: there are real trees about 20 m high, there are also miniature species that do not reach up to 1 m. Its closest relatives are olive and jasmine, from which it turns out delicious tea. Local relatives are also known - it is forsythia, ash and ligustum, which is popularly known as privet. In the wild, this shrub is found in Transylvania, the Carpathians and the Balkan Peninsula, widely distributed in the Far East. The plant is light-loving, very drought-resistant and frost-resistant with a life expectancy of up to 90-100 years. Usually the smell of flowers is sharp, specific. But there are species without flavor.
Can you imagine the Russian spring without the aroma of blooming lilac? Of course not. But before the XVIII century, we did not have it at all. But today lilacs are known and loved not only in Russia, but also in many other countries of the world.
Bush history
Amazing lilac boasts no less amazing history. There are a lot of legends about this plant. The most ancient is about high feelings and incredible transformation. Previously, the Greeks worshiped various gods, including the goat-footed horned god of the forest, Pan. Once in the forest, he met the charming nymph Siringu and immediately fell in love with her. When the young beauty learned about the intentions of an ugly deity, she was frightened and turned into a green bush. So there was a lilac.
Scandinavians tell another myth. Goddess Fjergun (Erd) annually adorned the earth. One day, reaching the northern territories, she discovered that the paints were almost over. Only a drop of white and lilac remained. They were just enough to create a lilac.
The Chinese love lilac like no other. About 30 species of this plant grow in China, and ⅔ of them are endemics of the Chinese flora. This means that you will not see them anywhere else. It was the people of the Middle Kingdom who first cultivated the plant. Buddhism played a significant role in this. When this religion began to move north from India, lilac became a symbol of enlightenment. Many years have passed, and the residents and guests of the country still tied red ribbons to a tree so that their request could be brought to heaven faster.
Path to Europe
Once the lilac overcame the Great Silk Road and was first in Ancient Persia, and then in Turkey. Then the Turkish sultan presented a small bush to the Austrian ambassador, who brought him to Vienna. From that moment on, she began to conquer not only the gardens of Europe, but also the universal love of Europeans. Thanks to the plant, new traditions have appeared. For example, in England a young man could offer a girl a hand and a heart, and in return receive a branch of lilac. In such a delicate way, the English ladies refused to applicants.
Lilac selection
As already mentioned, the Persian lilac was very fond of Europeans, although it did not have the insane beauty that was attributed to it. This revolution in lilac cultivation occurred in 1870 thanks to the efforts of breeders. Once the Frenchman Victor Lemoine tried to cross two rather inconspicuous lilacs in order to get a new variety and then could not stop. For the 100-year practice of this breeder's family, more than 200 excellent varieties have been bred. Later, when Lemoine & Son ceased to exist, the plant gradually lost its former popularity.
A significant contribution to the selection of lilac made Leonid Kolesnikov. Our compatriot managed to bring great varieties. By and large, it was an ordinary amateur gardener who devoted every free minute to his beloved plant. His golden hands created almost 300 varieties, for which he was awarded the Stalin Prize. The most popular ones are “Nadezhda” and “Dream”, they have huge inflorescences drooping under their weight. The best lilac in the world is the "Beauty of Moscow", white with large lush buds. All the elite of that time, famous poets and politicians, visited the Kolesnikov gardens. They came to admire the beauty of the park with lilacs. Unfortunately, many varieties are not preserved due to the rapid construction of the skyscraper. Modern breeders bit by bit seek them out in private gardens.
To create a new sort of lilac takes up to 10 years. First you need to collect seeds, then grow seedlings. After that, you need to wait for the first inflorescence. More promising plants are selected from all plants, and their testing is carried out for several years.
Types of lilac
| Lilac species (photo and titles) | Description |
|---|---|
| S. ordinary (S. vulgáris)  | popular ornamental shrub height of 2-8 m, grown multi-stemmed. The diameter of each trunk can reach 20 cm |
| S. furry (S. pubescens)  | shrub up to 2 m and about 2 m in diameter. The branches are thin, erect |
| S. broadleaf (S. oblata)  | shrub or tree up to 3 m. Crohn sprawling spherical shape. The branches are smooth, erect, strong |
| S. Amurskaya (S. amurénsis)  | tree up to 10 m tall and 20-30 cm in diameter, rarely multi-deciduous shrub. The popular name "treskun" as raw wood when burning produces a strong crash, while sparks and coals fly several meters away. |
| S. Hungarian (S. josikaea)  | shrub plant up to 5 m. Young branches of dense green or brown color, with short hairs |
| S. shaggy (S. villosa)  | densely leafy shrub up to 4 m high with upward directed shoots. The young shoots are yellow-gray in color, the annuals are often shrouded in short, delicate hairs, which then fall off and the branches become bare. |
| S. Persian (S. persica)  | shrub plant with an average height of 1-2 m with highly spreading branches. Young branches slightly pubescent, adult branches thin, drooping |
| C. small-leaved (S. microphylla)  | shrub height 80 cm. The leaves are small, slightly wavy. The inflorescences are small, the flowers are ordinary, non-double, with a characteristic smell for lilac |
Variety of lilac varieties
It would seem that special in purple inflorescences? To date, more than 2 thousand varieties of lilac are known. Most of them are similar to each other, but there are also bright individuals. The palette of shades is very diverse: from dark saturated to light, barely perceptible to the eye. There are even two-colored ones: one side of the petal is of one color, and the reverse side is the other. For example, the “Sensation” variety has a strip around the petal, and the “Rochester” variety is surprised by the number of petals - from 5 to 12. There are also terry varieties of different shades. The most common: "Violetta" - purple, "Alice Harding" - white, "Hope" - bluish, "Great Victory" - mauve, "Nina" - pinkish, "Paul Ariot" - purple.
Common lilac bushes can grow up to 6 m in width and height. And since we have a small plot, we have limited ourselves to planting only two bushes - one specimen - ordinary lilac (S. vulgaris), the other - dwarf or small-leaved (S. microphylla). The dwarf lilac, just like the wisteria, has re-bloom in summer. Of course, less abundant, but still there.
Lilac care
Wild lilac prefers to grow in the highlands. The mountains are always cooler, so it is able to withstand very low temperatures - down to -40 degrees. One can even say that lilacs need cold winters for good flowering. 
The plant very quickly forms a large number of coppice shoots that help the shrub to stay on the mountain slopes. However, for summer residents it is a big problem. Bushes grow rapidly, and gardeners have to contend with such expansion.
Growing lilac is easy, in care it is unpretentious. It is better to plant shrubs in those places where groundwater flows at great depths. The place of growth of the bush should be well lit. Lilac is planted in the fall. For landing the standard hole is dug out. It is important to ensure that the mechanical composition of the soil in the pit and the soil around it was about the same, otherwise there is a risk of root clogging.
There is a belief that due to frequent breaking off, lilac blooms better. This is a sad delusion! Moreover, this myth is extremely harmful. With a branch of inflorescences break off young shoots. As a result, flowering becomes rare, and the bush itself gradually dies from the tearing of the bark. That is why lilac does not bloom when it is barbarously broken off. That is why for the collection of bouquets of lilac shears are extremely necessary It is necessary to cut off, without reaching the young escape which grew near inflorescence. This bouquet will be at least low, but lush. If you cut the lilac correctly, then next season it will again delight you with a beautiful friendly flowering.
Lilac in landscape design
A garden without this plant seems incomplete, something is missing in it. But when a lilac bush appears on the site, a miraculous reincarnation occurs in the spring. Gentle lilac, white or deep-purple inflorescences delight the eye and fill everything around with an enchanting scent. 
By care, it is undemanding, even it needs watering only for a long drought, but when setting up a garden, one should not forget about the aggressive nature of the shoots. Therefore, it is better to plant lilacs in small areas surrounded by entrances - at the entrance or even behind the gate.
Picturesque and lilac hedges, but for this you need a corresponding open space. In the mixborder, the lower tier of the bushes can be lined with peonies, aquilegia, cuff. Dwarf lilacs can be started up with a low curb, and also can be made into a composition with short-growing conifers, Compress's turf and euphorbia, beautifully framing them with a natural stone.
If you choose the right variety, and successfully determine the place for lilac, then there will be no problems with growing this shrub - you will not need to fight the young and transfer it from place to place. Surely the proposed species of lilac with photos and names will be useful to you in the selection of plants.