Lilacs are flowering trees that belong to the plant family Oleaceae and there are about 25 species of this beautiful and lovely flower grown all over the world.
This tree is native to Europe and East Asia and they are small trees that can grow to a height of 8 feet to 30 feet depending on the species of this plant and this flower is also popular for the lovely fragrance and scent that it produces.
The blooms of this tree, Syringa vulgaris is very intense and this makes it a perfect ornamental plant to grow in your yard or garden and also for the beautification of your space or environment.
The flowers of this cool plant do come in seven different colors which include purple (most popular), blue, pink, lilac, burgundy, yellow, and white.
The flowers produced on the lilac trees are generally monoecious meaning that they have both the fertile stamens and stigma in a single flower making it easy for pollination to occur.
The lilac tree has been a popular tree around the world known for its intoxicating fragrance which makes it a popular ingredient in aromatherapy and insects such as butterflies and hummingbirds also love their smell.
The shape of the lilac leaves could either be simple and heart-shaped, pinnate, or lanceolate and they are generally arranged opposite on the tree.
This plant is a very beautiful flower to have in the yard or garden as it serves as a source of shade and can be a spot for getting fresh air in the evenings and if carefully and properly taken care of, this plant has the ability to grow for 10 years.
The lilac tree is very hardy and growing them is very simple as long as they are grown in an environment that supports their growth and development.
Do you want to know how you can carefully grow a lilac tree? Want to understand the concept involved in growing lilac trees to maturity and being able to sustain them? If your answer is yes then this article is for you – read ahead to learn more.
When is the right time to Grow Lilac Trees?
Before moving straight to the steps involved in growing lilac trees, we will be discussing the perfect time when planting this lovely tree should be done.
Lilacs are hardy plants and they can survive under harsh weather condition and this has made them a favorite tree for gardeners and homeowners around the world with an addition of its sweet fragrance.
Lilac trees can either be planted in spring or fall depending on the time that seems favorable for you and your plant.
However, the right time to plant during spring is once the ground has thawed while planting during fall should be carried out before the ground freezes.
Note that planting your lilac tree is more favorable as this will ensure that your plant gets enough time to develop its root before the conception of the growing season and also with the help of practices such as mulching and weed control your plant will definitely thrive well.
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How to plant Lilac trees
Growing lilac trees is a very easy and simple activity to engage in and it is something that can be conveniently done by beginners and experts in gardening.
In this section of this article, we will take you through the various steps involved in growing lilacs so you should pay very good attention to learn more about them.
Site selection:
The location for planting is a very important factor for the survival of your plant as it has the ability to determine if the plant will survive or not.
The site or location of choice must be one that has the ability to get full sun between 6 – 8 hours daily. The soil must be well-draining, humus-rich, and fertile and you should make sure that the soil has a pH that is neutral to alkaline as they do not do well in acidic soils.
A site that has poor soil should be amended and made suitable for the plant’s development and if that is impossible a new location should be opted for.
Test your soil:
Lilac trees do not do well in soil that is not well-draining and there might be a need to test the water holding capacity of your soil.
This is very important because lilacs do not do well in wet soil and they easily get damaged when exposed to one.
To test the water holding capacity of your soil; dig a hole that is 8-inch wide and 12-inch deep and add water to it to the brim.
If the water drains out within 1 hour, the soil is good for growing your lilac tree and vice versa. You can also improve the quality and texture of the soil by adding compost to the soil.
Get your lilac tree for planting:
The choice of lilac tree to grow will be dependent on what you want as well as how much space you have.
There are dwarf species of lilacs that grow not more than 8 feet while some grow higher, understanding your lilac tree will help you know which species to grow.
You can choose lilac trees from nurseries or you can ask friends that have large lilac trees to help you with small sprouts from their garden (just make sure the roots are intact). Your lilac seedling should be readily available for transplanting.
Dig a hole:
After selecting your site and preparing it, the next line of action is to make a space (hole) where the seedling will be planted.
Make sure that the hole is not too deep and it should not be deeper than the size of the root ball so as to ensure that the plant is at the same level as the top layer of the soil.
If the root of the plant is bare, make sure that hole is a little deeper (few inches) below the surface.
Plant the seedling:
Seedlings with root ball should be planted at the same level with the soil surface. However, if it is a bare-rooted plant, the plant should be planted a few inches below the soil and make sure that the root is well spread in the hole to enhance its survival.
The hole should be well covered after planting and it should be a little compacted and you should add water while doing this to remove the air pocket and keep it porous.
Provide water:
After planting, the plant should be supplied with water and this should be done regularly to keep the plant as active as possible.
In the first year of growth, the plant must get enough water to perform exceedingly and water must always be made available during the dry seasons of subsequent years more frequently.
Caring for your Lilac tree
After planting your lilac, it is important that you give proper care to the lilac tree so as to ensure proper growth and development.
In this section, we will give a brief discussion on the proper care that should be given to your lilac tree after planting:
Fertilizing:
Granular organic fertilizer should be applied to the base of your plant in early spring so as to provide necessary nutrients to the plant.
This will ensure the formation of buds which will later enhance the development of leaves and flowers.
Pruning:
You can practice annual pruning which involves the reduction of the size of the oldest stems while you can get rid of spent flower heads to focus the plant on growing more flower buds and not seeds.
This will ensure that your plant does not grow unnecessarily large and will enhance the production of blooms.
Deadheading:
You can get rid of dead, damaged, and outgrown plant parts. This practice will help stimulate the development of new flowers and leaf buds if it is a variety that blooms over time.
Mulching:
After planting, you can add mulch to the base of the plant so as to enhance fertility and also prevent loss of soil moisture.
Organic mulches will decompose over time which will improve productivity and supply of nutrients over time.
Conclusion
Growing plants can serve as a source of joy to our lives and with the lilac tree; you can always make your world colorful and brilliant.
Planting lilacs is very easy and with the above-mentioned steps, you can be assured of the best growth outcome. Have a nice time intensifying your garden with a touch of beauty.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
