Earlier last year I wrote an article about gardening with peonies. The article offered a few thoughts on plants that associate well with peonies and very briefly mentioned lilac.

As we begin to look forward to the possibility of spring, the time seems right to explore further that venerable family of plants ... the lilacs.

The following article was written by Frank Moro, owner of Select Plus International. Frank's nursery, located just north of Montréal, Québec, grows over 950 different lilac varieties!

(To see the pictures, just click on the tiny lilac flower next to the lilac name)

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A Lilac Primer

Many of us have grown up with lilacs around us. Like peonies, they were often found in the gardens of our parents and grandparents. We all have fond memories of those two special weeks when our favorite plant "the lilac" was in flower!

Few gardeners realize just how many different lilacs are actually available. Again like peonies, by careful selection the gardener can extend the lilac blooming season well past the traditional two weeks.

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Lilacs are a large group of plants belonging to the genus Syringa. There are numerous species and sub species and over 2,000 named cultivars within the genus. Just imagine the possibilities!

But first a little background…

Flower form is either single or double and flower colour is classified into one of seven recognized lilac colours

Many gardeners are acquainted with the common lilac and some of the so called French hybrids such as 'Charles Joly' , 'Mme. Lemoine' and 'Belle de Nancy' .

The term French hybrid is a coined phrase. In the late 1800's and early 1900's the Lemoine family of Nancy, France working with Syringa vulgaris, introduced about 200 lilacs. (The same family also introduced many wonderful peonies!) This is how the S. vulgaris hybrids became known as French hybrids.

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Lilacs have a long history in horticulture dating as far back as Syria in the 1400's. Over time lilac spread to gardens throughout the world. Some of the oldest lilac plants in North America can be found in Makinac Island, Michigan. The Makinac Island plants are over 120 years old and show the regular signs of old centurion twisting trunks.

Lilacs are versatile plants and depending on the variety, thrive in hardiness Zones 2 through 8. Native to East Asia, the Himalayas and Southeast Europe, wild specimens can be found in cool valleys free from pollution and hot temperatures.

Lilacs prefer alkaline soils rich in organic matter and are generally free from pests and diseases. Lilacs require a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight daily to produce an abundance of flowers.

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Back to the possibilities presented by over 2000 cultivars…

Just as with peonies, judicious selection of cultivars from several species and hybrids will result in a flowering season of up to 6 weeks (and perhaps beyond!).

The cultivars of the hybrid species S. x hyacinthiflora flower early in the season. Because of their hardiness, these lilacs are particularly suited to colder areas. Dr. Frank Skinner of Roblin, Manitoba, developed some of the best S. x hyacinthiflora cultivars. These lilacs usually flower about 7-10 days earlier than the cultivars of S. vulgaris and have much better yearly repeat bloom. In the fall the foliage turns an attractive bronzy red.

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The next lilacs to flower are the cultivars of S. vulgaris. There are exceptions, but in general these lilacs have a very sugary fragrance. Hybridizers from around the world have developed many magnificent cultivars that definitely deserve a place on the lilac lover's wish list.

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Later flowering lilacs include cultivars of S. patula, S. josikea and of the hybrid species S. x prestonia and S. x josiflexa. These lilacs have long tubular florets and their foliage is lanceolate. They are very cold hardy and keep their leaves right to the bottom of the plant making them a great choice for hedging or privacy plants. They do not sucker. Their fragrance is a little spicier than that of the S. vulgaris lilacs. The cultivars of S. Patula develop wine red foliage in the fall.

Another late flowering lilac is the dwarf Korean, or palibin lilac a popular cultivar of S. meyeri. It's a dwarf plant flowering usually in early June. It requires very well drained soil and will repeat the bloom once in August if trimmed immediately after flowering. The second bloom is a little sparse, but still attractive.

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The latest lilacs to flower are the cultivars of S. reticulata and S. pekinensis. Both are available in tree and shrub form and are larger cultivars reaching 20-25 feet tall at maturity. They are a little less cold tolerant and are hardy in Zones 4-7. Both flower at the end of June and have cream-coloured flowers. Their fragrance is much like the smell of honey. S. pekinensis lilac has a golden bark when young that peels much like a white birch tree.

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Having completed the primer on lilacs we're ready to go out and storm the garden centres. But wait; I haven't told you what's new and exciting! (Though many of the following lilac were introduced many years ago, they are only just becoming available now.)

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Early Flowering (S. x hyacinthiflora)

'Evangeline' 1934 double magenta: Double florets of darker pink buds open to light pink. Fully opened the florets look contorted. A double flowering early bloomer is rare!

'Maiden's Blush' 1966 single pink: Exquisite pale to medium pink florets in abundance. In colder climates the pink will be more intense.

'Sierra Snow' 1971 single white: A warm climate lilac requiring very little winter chill to overcome winter dormancy. It is however, still very cold hardy and can be grown in Zone 2b. It has snow white florets that have a satiny appearance.

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Main Season: (S. vulgaris)

'Avalanche' 1983 single white: Very showy with massive florets produced freely on a rounded plant. The florets are so large the name well describes the effect on the plant.

'Burgundy Queen' 1997 single purple: A sensational new lilac having maroon purplish florets. It has a tendency to flower a week earlier than most of the S. vulgaris cultivars.

'Dark Night' 1966 single purple: Developed in California, this lilac requires little winter chill to break bud dormancy in spring. The extreme dark purple colour makes a great focal point in the garden.

'Krasavitsa Moskvy' 1963 double white: A Russian lilac whose name translated into English means 'Beauty of Moscow'. In bud the florets are pink, opening to reveal wonderful white florets with hints of lavender. As the florets mature the fragrance of the lilac becomes stronger. On a scale of 1 to 10 we rate this lilac a 12!

'Marie Frances' 1983 single pink: Developed in Ohio by Father John Fiala, Marie Frances is an excellent lilac that has a tendency to produce excellent bloom every year. The florets are salmon pink and very fragrant. A semi dwarf lilac, reaching only 6-9 feet at maturity.

'Nadezdha' 1970 double blue: Russian lilacs in the future will become more and more popular. Their colours are more intense and pure than many of the French introductions we know. Nadezdha has an excellent bloom. The purple buds open to a light blue. In English the name means 'Hope'.

'Prairie Petite' 1986 single pink: An excellent cold hardy lilac developed in Nebraska. It is a dwarf plant only reaching about 4 feet after 12 years. Just released in 1998, it is a very promising lilac for small gardens. It begins to flower at a very young age. The flowers are clear pink.

'Wedgwood Blue'1981 single blue: Unique for its pink buds and very fine fragrance with colour resembling Wedgwood English pottery. Its growth habit is semi dwarf reaching 6-8 feet at maturity.

'Rochester' 1971 multi-petaled single white: With magnificent multi-petaled flowers it is in a class of its own. Pure white florets have 5 or more petals on each flower. Difficult to find and of refined beauty. At maturity it reaches 6-8 feet. 'Rochester' is among the first of the hybrids not yet on the market that exhibit a multi-petalling effect. Look out for them!

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Late Flowering

S. x tribida 'Josee' 1974 single pink: This lilac is a rare hybrid cultivar that is little known in Canada. It is a cross between three different species; S. patula, S. meyeri and S. microphylla. It shows the best genetics from all three. It is a dwarf plant reaching no more than about 4 feet in height and width at maturity. The leaves are small and it can flower up to 4 times in a season. In Montreal, Quebec in 1996 with the warm summer we had, the last trusses of flowers were taken by the frost on October 22! Because the plant flowers on new wood, a little pruning immediately after each flower period will encourage the lilac to set flower again. This is the hottest lilac to appear on the market in a long time. The florets are pinkish icy white and they are magnificently fragrant. It has to be given the title of 'the perfect lilac'.

S. x prestonia 'Nike'single purple: This is the darkest Preston lilac available. The florets are an intense dark purple. I usually suggest Nike with a late white planted beside it to enhance the intensity of the purple.

S. wolfi x S. reflexa 'Hagny' 1935 single lavender: Some lilacs have been around for many years in collections just waiting to be discovered by someone who will put them into production and make them available to the public. They are what I call 'sleeping beauties'. I encountered this lilac back in 1994 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario while on a routine photo shoot of the late flowering lilacs. From some 150 feet this plant just took my breath with the masses of pink panicles just flowing out of the plant everywhere. It did not seem to have the growth habit of the Preston lilacs. Rather a large plant, it has proven to be a heavy bloomer. The flowers are very striking lavender pink. The shrub reaches about 12 feet at maturity and will be an excellent single specimen in any garden.

S. yunnanensis 'Prophecy' 1968 single pink: A Fiala cross which has larger and deeper lavender shades than the species. Leaves are also thicker and it has beautiful satiny pink florets. It needs to be to be planted in light, well-drained soil. This is a lilac that can be kept between 6-9 feet in height.

S. x prestonia 'Agnes Smith' 1970 single white: An introduction from New Hampshire, this rare Preston lilac has pure white flowers that are without a trace of pink. Usually late lilacs are in the lavender or pink tones. It is a real pleasure to see a white lilac in the middle of June.

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With all the new lilacs coming onto the market, it's a worthwhile investment to spend a little time researching the possibilities! The best place to find these new lilacs is either at garden centres that specialize in newer plants or from reliable specialist postal order nurseries.

Frank Moro
Select Plus International

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