Most of us are familiar with the old fashioned Lilacs (syringa vulgaris) with their lovely fragrant flowers and bold colours that are a staple to Victorian and cottage style gardens. But there are many more species and hybrids of lilac that are not as commonly grown and their excellent qualities should be more widely recognised. It is these other Lilacs; the “Softly Spoken” ones that really excite me. They still boast the most beautiful perfume, yet the flower form has a delicate understated beauty giving them a charm of sophistication and elegance.
Syringa x persica
There are over 20 species of Syringa and hundreds of cultivars and hybrids. Most are medium to large shrubs although there are some dwarfs. They grow best in full sun but are happy in part shade and will grow in most soils particularly those that are slightly alkaline. They are all spring flowering and benefit from pruning directly after flowering has finished. This consists of removing the old flowering wood. Lilacs will withstand periods of drought but prefer to be kept slightly moist. Try planting them with Roses, Clematis, Lavenders and Rosemary.
Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’
A must have lilac as it will fit into any garden. It is a slow growing dwarf getting to about 1m high in 10 years with lilac-pink flowers that fade to soft pink and white in late spring. Fragrant of course and has small round leaves. Remove finished flowers and give a light trim after flowering to maintain a neat dome shaped shrub.
Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’
Syringa ‘Miss Kim’
The full name for this plant is Syringa pubescens subsp. Patula ‘Miss Kim’. Remember that one! ‘Miss Kim’ will grow to around 2m in 10 years and has dark green leaves with a wavy edge that turn a dark burgundy in the autumn. Not many Lilacs boast good autumn colour so this one gets a tick even before we get to the flowers. The flowers have a spicy fragrance and are deep purple in bud fading to light purple and white and are produced in late spring.
Syringa ‘Miss Kim’
Syringa microphylla ‘Superba’
This Lilac grows to about 2m high. The rosy-pink flowers are fragrant and are produced on-masse in spring and then intermittently until autumn. This is a very pretty shrub.
Syringa microphylla ‘Superba’
Other recommended Lilacs; Syringa x laciniata, Syringa x persica, Syringa wolfii, Syringa diversifolia.
Syringa josikea
For more information on Lilacs
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