The lilac flower is a gorgeous and colourful indicator that the colder months are finally here. These flowers bloom beautifully and will give your garden a sweet pre-winter fragrance that will transition into the coming cold wintery months.
If you’ve been feeling like you need to spruce up your garden a little bit and want to add a bit of pizzazz and colour, then the lilac flower might be exactly what you’re looking for.
What Is Lilac?
The lilac, otherwise known as the Syringa Vulgaris is one of the most loved garden plants because of its immense toughness, reliability, and lovely fragrance. And this is not even mentioning their cute and warm pink colour that is sure to spruce up any garden where they are planted. One of the most interesting things about a lilac is that once you plant one in your garden it is likely that – if the plant is properly cared for during its early stages – it will be able to grow for over 100+ years.
In general, a lilac plant has around 10 canes and produces flowers at the average human height eye level, meaning that these plants don’t necessarily fall into the “small garden flower” category. A common lilac will grow anywhere between 8 – 12 feet tall, meaning that by the time your plant is fully grown it might tower over everyone in your family!
Lilacs are also simply some of the best garden flowers because they can attract a variety of bug life to your garden. The fragrance of lilac makes it an extremely attractive plant to butterflies, which can give your yard a wholly different dynamic from what came before the lilac. Lilacs are usually a pinkish, purple colour, depending on the variant and age of the plant at hand, which can provide a gorgeous pop of colour to your garden.
When To Plant Lilac
Lilac plants always come out the healthiest and are most likely to have a strong bloom when they are planted smack bang in the middle of the autumn months. A lilac is supposed to be the kind of plant that signals the start of winter, and the end of warmer summer months, which makes sense why retailers tend to sell these plants right after the summer season comes to an end.
Lilacs are interesting because in most cases their roots seem to thrive in the frozen ground as this provides support for the plant that is growing above the ground. This makes them an ideal choice for a green thumb who is looking to do some gardening during the colder months of the year.
Where To Plant Lilacs
Despite being a plant that signals the transition to the colder period of the year, lilacs are best planted in a spot that gets a regular cycle of sun throughout the day (6-8 hours). They tend to bloom much later when they get too much shade and in some cases might not survive when they don’t get enough sun during the warmer autumn months. You’ll want to make sure that the soil your lilacs are planted in is also alkaline, moist, and well-drained.
Another thing you will need to consider when planting your lilac flowers is space. Lilacs, as mentioned above, are relatively large flowers and plants, in comparison to something more well-known like a sunflower. Because of this, it would be prudent for you to plant your lilac in a spot that has more than enough space for long-term growth.
How To Plant Lilac
Lilacs love to grow and will grow best, in soil that is slightly more alkaline than it is acid. Look to cultivate a soil patch that has a Ph level of 6.5 – 7.0. The soil should also be kept moist as far as possible, while still being fairly well drained.
Once you’ve found and cultivated the perfect soil patch for your lilac flowers, follow these steps to plant them:
- Dig individual holes for each plant bulb. The holes should ideally be twice as wide and just as deep as the flower ball that you’re planting.
- Drop a nutrient-dense flower supplement into the hole before planting the flower. This will make the soil nutrient dense and the perfect environment for flower growth.
- Now it’s time to set the plant into the hole. Make sure that the top of the root ball is just above soil level when doing this step.
- Next, you’ll want to press down firmly on the flower bulb and fill it around with a healthy soil mixture. Speak to a nursery retailer about which soil mixture is best for Lilac.
- Lastly, you’ll want to water around the plant and make sure the hole is watered deeply.
What Is The Meaning Of Lilac?
To many English-speaking people, lilac simply represents a colour. Lilac is a representation of a pinkish, purplish colour, just like the actual flower! People also know that lilac is a flower but the two definitions mentioned are so intertwined that it is now impossible to separate the two!
In terms of the symbolism surrounding the lilac plant, many people look to it as a form and symbol of pureness and innocence, and many people plant these flowers in their gardens to remind them of simpler times and to induce a sense of calmness in their homes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lilacs
Can Lilacs Grow All Year Round?
Lilacs tend to bloom strongest during the springtime which makes them the kind of flower that does tend to come back around every single year. In fact, despite being a plant that is best planted during the winter, lilacs tend to develop a bud for the next year shortly after their first-ever bloom. This means that once your lilac is planted, it is there to stay!
Can Lilac Be Grown In A Pot?
As mentioned above, the roots and canes of the lilac plant tend to grow quite large. These flowers need space for proper and full growth, which makes them a little less ideal for pot growing. However, if you do decide to plant your lilac in a pot, it is recommended that you buy a container as large as 12 inches deep and 24 inches wide.
Are Lavender and Lilac The Same?
Because lilac and lavender have pretty much the exact same colour profile many people tend to get confused and simply assume that each plant is just a variation of the other. The two flowers are indeed very different, especially in terms of their fragrances.
If you love the sight of pretty purple flowers, lilacs are for you. Growing these in your garden will add a delightful splash of colour as the weather turns.