Planting lilacs and caring for bushes

Common variety

Today, among the cultivated varieties of lilacs, there are species of both natural and hybrid origin. Moreover, the number of varieties of this plant continues to grow rapidly. Obviously, the common lilac can be found most often in our gardens. The flowers of this variety are very beautiful and fragrant. They can be any shade of purple. However, flowering for the first time occurs only 4 years after planting. Consider the most popular types of lilacs. Photos of some of them are presented below.

Common variety

Variety Primrose

Terry lilac

Most types of lilacs have massive double flowers, which are inflorescences, where another one grows from the first tube with 4-5 leaves. If there are fewer petals in the second bunch, then we are talking about a “semi-double” type of lilac.

Variety "Taras Bulba"

Variety "Monique Lemoine"

Variety Hungarian

This species is resistant to almost any adverse conditions. Such plants are not afraid of either low temperatures, or drought, or too humid conditions. The flower petals of the lilac of this variety are sharp and oblong, the inflorescence brushes are longline. The flowers themselves are on long stalks.

The flowering of this plant species usually begins 2 weeks later than that of the common lilac.

Amur variety

Bushes of this type of lilac usually reach a height of up to 9 m. At the same time, they are decorated with small dense flowers that can have a shade from white to cream. In addition, they have a very strong and pleasant aroma. The leaves of this species are the same as those of the common lilac. Flowering most often begins only at the end of July and lasts about 2-2.5 weeks. Such lilac does not grow well on poor soils, but is very resistant to temperature extremes.

hybrid variety

It is formed as a result of artificial or natural crossing of various natural plant species.

Lilac planting

Lilac planting does not require any additional conditions. In this case, it is best to use neutral soil. If the soil has an acidic environment, then it must first be treated with lime or dolomite flour. It is desirable to carry out such work every three years. As for groundwater, they must pass at a depth of at least 1.5 m. It is recommended to choose a sunny place for planting lilacs. Here it will bloom more abundantly than in partial shade. Let's say it may be a slight slope, but it is best if the surface of the bed is flat. If there are gusts of cold wind on the site, then it is recommended to choose a place where the least cold flows pass. It should be said that lilac is very frost-resistant, so it is not necessary to cover it for the winter. In addition, this plant can grow on heavy soils in the mountains. But too wet and swampy land, as well as clay lilac, does not tolerate well.

The landing time depends on the climate. So, in mid-latitudes, it is recommended to do this from the end of August to the beginning of September. It is important that the plant has time to take root before the onset of cold weather. The timeliness of planting shows the foliage. So, if it crumbled, then it's too late to plant. If you still planted it, then in order to save the soil from rapid freezing, you need to mulch it with leaves or sawdust. When spring comes, the fines need to be removed so that the earth thaws faster. If you did not have time to transplant the lilac before the onset of frost, then you should dig in the plant by tilting the fruit seedlings, and leave it in this form until the onset of spring. In addition, it is necessary in this case to prepare pits for planting in the spring from the fall. In the spring, it is important to plant lilacs until the buds swell. Otherwise, the plant may not take root.

The depth of planting lilacs in the soil should be such that the root neck of the plant is located strictly at the level of the soil. If the seedling is grafted, then the root neck should be placed about 25-35 mm above ground level. This will prevent the emergence of shoots from the stem.

To plant a plant, it is enough to make a square hole measuring 500 by 500 mm. In order for the lilac to take root better, it is recommended to plant it in the evening, when the air has cooled down. The soil mixture is prepared immediately upon planting. At the same time, various impurities are added to it. Most often, these are natural fertilizers and wood ash. If you purchase seedlings on the market, so that there are no problems in the future with planting and care, you should choose only those that have a closed root system. The disadvantage of open system seedlings is that they are more susceptible to climate change and require more maintenance.

Lilac: proper care

Like most garden plants, lilacs require watering. In order for it to grow freely and bloom in a timely manner, the soil should be well moistened. The first watering after planting should be plentiful enough, after which it should be watered only when the soil dries up. Regular scheduled watering starts in May and June. Only moisture should be in moderation. Should not be overfilled. From mid-summer, lilacs usually stop watering so as not to cause the awakening of the kidneys.

As for fertilizers, if during planting you brought them into the planting hole in sufficient quantities, then you should not add top dressing for about 2.5-3.5 years.

In the future, it is recommended to fertilize the soil with organic fertilizing, namely, manure, compost liquid and bird droppings. In addition, it is useful to apply mineral fertilizers. In particular, at the end of summer, potassium and phosphorus are added once every 2.5-3 years, and when snow falls, it is recommended to add ammonium nitrate. During the period of active growth, the foliage can be sprinkled with mineral fertilizers.

Lilac pruning

Brushes that have already faded must be cut off. And this should be done immediately after flowering in the summer, and not in the fall. Otherwise, next spring, the lilac may simply not bloom. After all, buds are formed, as a rule, only on summer shoots.

To give shape and a beautiful appearance when flowering every spring, until the buds swell, you can do cultural pruning. To do this, 5 or more main branches are left on the bush. The remaining shoots are cut off, and those that are directed inside the bush are cut out completely.

Breeding techniques

For propagation of varietal lilacs at home, three main methods are usually used:

1. layering.
2. cuttings.
3. Inoculation.

Let's look at each of these techniques in a little more detail. So, reproduction by layering is carried out as follows: first, a horizontal furrow is made near the lilac, then the lower branches of the mother plant are bent to the ground and fixed. If everything is done correctly, then layering will develop from the shoot buds. Perhaps this method is the least laborious. Unfortunately, it is not suitable for all varieties of lilac.

For propagation of lilacs by cuttings, it is recommended to take the middle part of semi-lignified shoots that have developed well. This should be done in June or early July. It is recommended to take cuttings from the mother plant during the flowering period. The fact is that it is at this time that the growth of the bush stops. For sprouts, shoots with 4-5 leaves are selected. It is important that they do not have time to woody. You should prepare in advance for the fact that not all prepared cuttings will germinate. By the way, some types of lilacs cannot be propagated in this way at all. To cut the cutting, it is recommended to choose a bush as young as possible, the cut must be made at an angle of 45 degrees. After cutting, the branches must be treated with a root formation stimulator. Then the prepared cuttings are planted in pre-dug holes with fertilizer. You can plant lilacs in greenhouses, but in this case, you need to increase the humidity there to almost 90-95%.

Usually young rootstocks are grafted, which were previously grown from seeds collected in the month of October. Before sowing the seeds, it is recommended to dry them. Autumn is considered the best time for sowing. To do this, you must first prepare the bed. It is enough to bury the seeds to a depth of 14-16 mm. When spring comes, you can pick and grow already grown seedlings.

Planting seeds is allowed in the spring. Only for this, they must first be kept at a low temperature, i.e. carry out stratification. After that, around the middle of March, the seeds are planted in boxes with prepared soil. It should be said that the germination of lilac sprouts largely depends on its type. Thus, common lilac seeds usually require about 2-2.5 weeks, and Amur lilac seeds need about 2-3 months. When at least 4 leaves are formed on the seedling, a pick is carried out at a distance of 30 mm from each other. Sprouts are usually planted in a permanent place in May.

To plant a lilac, you can take the stock of one of the plant species. For example, from an ordinary, Amur, Hungarian or other. At the stock, an oblique cut is made at a slight angle. At the same angle, the selected cutting should also be incised. The graft is applied to the rootstock at the level of the cut, after which they are fastened together with a rope. This is the simplest way of grafting plants, called copulation.

Diseases and pests of lilac

Almost all plants are susceptible to pests and diseases, including lilacs. However, with the right approach, many of these problems can be prevented. So, in particular, lilac is very often affected by bacterial rot. You can cope with it by spraying unconcentrated copper oxychloride. This should be done on the 9-10th day when the first signs of the disease are detected. Lilac can pick up late blight of the kidneys. To solve this problem, spraying the bush with Bordeaux liquid is used. Also, moth moths sometimes encroach on lilac bushes, which can be disposed of with the help of chlorophos or a rotor. Among the lilac pests, there is also a lilac hawk moth. If it is seen on a bush, then it should be treated with 0.1% fluorophos as soon as possible.

Lilac planting: video