Growing plants and taking care of them is a kind of therapy in itself. Plants, especially flowers, add a beautiful touch to our surroundings. You may have noticed an instant uplift in the mood whenever you walk by the streets adorned with fragrant flowers. Out of the thousand types of flowers that exist, some of the most commonly planted and admired ones are lilacs. Lilacs have a charm of their own and can make any place ten times prettier by their rich appearance and soothing fragrance. If you plan to plant lilacs or simply wish to expand your knowledge about gardening, you’re in luck! The guide is dedicated only to lilacs, their varieties, and the entire process of planting and taking care of them. Let’s get started!
First Of All, What Are The Varieties Of Lilac?
Before we get to the varieties, let’s get a grip on the interesting history of this lovely flower. The scientific name of lilac is Syringa, and it belongs to the family of Oleaceae. It was originally native to the regions like Southeastern Europe or Eastern Asia. The flower earned its name “Lilac” because it is majorly found in pink or purple color. It gives off a sweet and calming fragrance. You can find lilacs in the form of flower clusters, and the lilac season is between summer and fall.
Talking about lilac varieties, the most commonly existing lilac variant is Syringa Vulgaris, also known as common lilac and referred to as the Beauty of Moscow. Other than that, Tinkerbelle lilac, French lilac, Persian lilac, Himalayan Lilac, Dwarf Korean Lilac, and the list goes on. There are more than 1,000 different varieties of lilac, which have been developed over the years as a result of hybrid growth in different parts of the world. This brings us to the next question.
How Should You Decide Which Lilac Variety You Should Plant?
As mentioned previously, there are several variants when it comes to lilac. So before picking one, you need to ask yourself some questions that will help you make a suitable purchase.
It is essential to consider how much space you have in the planting area and how big of a plant you can manage. If you have limited space or simply wish to have a relatively smaller lilac plant, you can consider the common lilac, which grows about 10 feet wide, or the Korean dwarf lilacs, which are as short as 4 feet. On the contrary, if you have space and willingness to grow a large one, the lilac tree can grow up to 25 feet high.
Other than that, the choice of variety can also depend on your color preference. For instance, the Beauty of Moscow has white to baby pink flowers, whereas the common lilac has lavender or purple flowers. This can also be a major point of consideration.
You should also know that some new hybrid variants tend to have pink buds and are less prone to problems like powdery mildew.
