All lilacs are conventionally divided into varieties with large flowers (2.5 cm or more), medium (1.5–2 cm) and small (0.5–1 cm). Often our gardens are not large enough for a large collection of lilacs, and the choice is usually limited to 3-4 bushes. Therefore, large-flowered varieties have been and remain the most popular.
- Bluish grandiflora lilac
- White large-flowered lilac
- Purple grandiflora lilac
- Lilac grandiflora lilac
- Magenta crown-flowered lilac
- Pinkish grandiflora lilac
- Purple grandiflora lilac
This lilac is not just beautiful - it shocks and fascinates. The large size of the flowers usually corresponds to large dense inflorescences, the contrast of which with the modest panicles of “wild”, non-varietal lilac is striking. For more than a century, breeders in Europe and North America have worked on these metamorphoses and have produced a whole series of varieties whose flower sizes are five times larger than the half-centimeter “crosses” of their ancestor. But even among such spectacular lilacs there are leader varieties, the diameter of whose flowers reaches 3 cm or more. Let's get to know them better.
Bluish grandiflora lilac
Lilac Blanche Sweet (Fiala, 1988) is a variety with simple flowers (3 cm) of the most delicate light blue color. The inflorescences are dense, drooping. Bushes of medium height, spreading.
Lilac variety Blanche Sweet.
Lilac P.P. Konchalovsky (Kolesnikov, 1956) is one of the best double varieties in the world, its flowers (3 cm) are beautifully composed of 4 corollas. The peduncles are strong, but under the weight of large inflorescences, reaching 30 cm in length, they often droop. The bushes are tall and straight.
And also: semi-double lilac variety Marechal Lannes' (Lemoine, 1910) and Clarke's Giant (Clarke, 1948) with simple flowers.
Methods of propagating lilacs and how to grow a shrub from cuttings (with video)
Lilac propagation can be carried out in several ways: seeds, cuttings, layering or grafting. Let's say right away that grafting is a technique that is only suitable for experienced gardeners.
As for other methods. For example, this method of propagating lilacs as seeds is multifunctional: firstly, it is suitable for growing various types of shrubs, and secondly, they can be used to grow seedlings suitable for grafting.
However, keep in mind that such plants are slightly slow in growth and need proper care.
By the way, with the help of shoots you can also grow a new generation of this shrub. To do this, you just need to plant the shoots. However, make sure that the mother plant has a healthy root system. This does not apply, for example, to bushes that were bred by grafting.
How to grow lilacs so that the roots are healthy and can later help increase the number of specimens for planting? The answer is simple - you should use green cuttings. They must be summer ones, since winter material will not be able to take root.
Remember that this procedure cannot be carried out with all plant varieties. Those that produce flowers from double buds are considered more or less suitable - for example, “India” or “Montaigne”.
To understand even better how to grow lilacs from cuttings, you should learn more about such a moment as the timing of their separation. Gardening experts say that it is best to carry out vegetative propagation immediately after the shoots stop growing in length. This period coincides with the plant’s vigorous flowering.
In addition, it will be favorable for cuttings if the bush from which the particles are separated for propagation is as young as possible.
You should also take note that it is better to separate the cuttings from those branches that are located in the center of the crown of the bush. They are extracted using a razor or a sharp knife. By the way, if you are not too lazy, you can treat each extracted cutting with a preparation that will stimulate the process of formation of the root system.
Cuttings are most often immersed in a substrate that is breathable and has moderate humidity. Such material could be, for example, a mixture of peat and sand. The cuttings must be placed vertically in the rooting container.
This is done so that the lower buds are completely covered. Don’t forget to spray the plants after this and carefully close the greenhouse. By the way, the film that is used for covering is pulled closer to the cuttings. But then they carefully monitor that the rooting process takes place correctly: for this it is necessary to control that the water in the greenhouse does not stagnate. Therefore, the next spraying of the plant is carried out only after the previous water has dried on the leaves of the cuttings.
Remember that the roots will appear on the cuttings after about ten weeks. But this does not mean that the plant is ready for planting. In fact, cuttings with a root system that has already begun to form are moved from the greenhouse only next spring. And even better - in the fall.
Are you still a little uneasy about taking on such a responsible task? Then let's watch a video of lilac propagation, which will finally help you understand all the nuances:
White large-flowered lilac
Lilac Monique Lemoine (Lemoine, 1939) is one of the best double varieties of this group. There are 4 or more corollas, they are tightly inserted into each other, large flowers (3–3.5 cm) form tight racemes, often drooping from heaviness. The bushes are compact, of medium height.
Lilac Flora (E. Maarse, 1953) is among the ten best varieties in the world. The flowers (3.5 cm) are simple, the inflorescences are large and fragrant. The bushes are tall and straight.
Lilac Memory of Kolesnikov (Kolesnikov, 1974) - double rose flowers (3 cm) retain their shape throughout the entire flowering period. The inflorescences are dense and large. Bushes of medium height, wide.
Excellent lilac variety.
As well as lilac varieties Monument (Lemoine, 1934), Excellent (E. Maarse, 1938) and Slater's Elegance (Slater, 1983) - with simple flowers, Alice Harding (Lemoine, 1938) - with double flowers.
Purple grandiflora lilac
Lilac Violetta (Lemoine, 1916) - its main advantages: even, beautiful color and asymmetrical double flowers (3 cm) with unequal petals - among them there are narrow and wide, sharp and rounded. The bushes are tall and straight.
Lilac Sesquicentennial (Fenicchia, 1988) is a showy lilac that has recently appeared in our gardens. The flowers (4 cm) have from 4 to 12 petals, the inflorescences are large and drooping. Bushes of medium height, spreading.
Lilac Sesquicentennial.
And also: lilac varieties Twilight (Kolesnikov, 1954) with simple flowers, Morning of Russia (Vekhov, 1952) - a double, abundantly flowering variety.
Lilac grandiflora lilac
Lilac Gilbert (Lemoine, 1911) – attracts attention with bright, fade-resistant flowers (3 cm). The inflorescences are long and large. The bushes are medium-sized and wide.
Lilac Sheremetev (Mikhailov, Rybakina, 2002) - everything about it is amazing in size: large flowers (3 cm) and inflorescences, large leaves and tall straight bushes.
The Kolesnikova lilac varieties Nadezhda (1963), Moscow Sky (1963) and Mechta (1941) are united by belonging to two groups at once - bluish and lilac lilacs.
Preparing lilac bushes for winter
Mature lilac bushes do not need additional insulation for the winter, since this crop is distinguished by enviable frost resistance.
Mature lilac bushes do not need to be insulated
Frail seedlings must be protected from frost. When night temperatures drop to -3...-5 °C, they are covered with a layer of mulch of at least 10–15 cm from dry leaves, peat, humus, sawdust, straw, etc.
Frail lilac seedlings are insulated for the winter with dry leaves
The trunks of standard lilacs are less resistant to cold, so the trunks are wrapped in burlap or non-woven covering material.
A hedge was made from lilac bushes on our site. We planted the bushes already grown; at first they grew for a whole year in a special school. After planting for the winter, they were not insulated in any way, but simply covered thoroughly with snow. Not a single seedling died out.
For insulation, the trunk is wrapped in fabric or burlap.
Magenta crown-flowered lilac
Lilac Lady Lindsay (Havemeyer, 1943) – wide-oval flat petals of simple flowers (3.7 cm) curved in different directions. The inflorescences are large and durable. Bushes of medium height, compact.
Lilac Lady Lindsay.
Lilac Glory (Havemeyer, 1943) - large silver-purple buds open into reddish-purple flowers (3.5 cm), collected in unusually large inflorescences. The bushes are vigorous.
Lilac President Poincare.
Lilac President Poincare (Lemoine, 1913) - purple-lilac, double, fragrant flowers (3 cm) collected in very dense, long, pyramidal, erect inflorescences. Flowering is abundant. The bushes are tall and dense.
Pinkish grandiflora lilac
Lilac Katherine Havemeyer (Lemoine, 1922) is a true French classic. Double flowers (3 cm) pink with a bluish-lilac tint. Lilac inflorescences are large, heavy, very dense. The bushes are tall and bloom abundantly.
Lilac Katherine Havemeyer
Lilac Lavoisier (Lemoine, 1913) – purple lilac buds stand out beautifully against the background of already opened pinkish double flowers (up to 4 cm). The inflorescences are dense and large. The bushes are tall and straight.
Lilac Bogdan Khmelnitsky (Rubtsov, Zhogoleva, Lyapunova, 1954) - winner of a gold medal for outstanding decorative qualities. The flowers (3.5 cm) are double, pink with whitish tips of beautifully curved petals. The inflorescences are large, wide-pyramidal, slightly sparse, which allows you to clearly see each flower in the cluster. The bushes are tall and straight.
And also: terry lilac varieties Olimpiada Kolesnikov (Kolesnikov, 1941) and Memory of Vekhov (Vekhov, 1952).
Standard in a row
This type of planting looks aesthetically pleasing and modern. The crown of the lilac is formed into a ball, cutting off excess shoots, which is why the shrub takes on a more noble appearance. The erect trunk and lush clusters of inflorescences are reminiscent of compact but showy rose trees.
This type of lilac is not afraid of frost and tolerates partial shade well. Plants arranged in a row can decorate both the front garden and the backyard. Lilacs on a trunk can trap dust, thereby purifying the air in the garden. Goes well with dwarf shrubs.
Lilac exudes a pleasant delicate aroma, blooms beautifully and does not require special care - timely pruning is enough. With its help, you can create a picturesque garden that will delight you with its blooms, marking the beginning of summer.
Purple grandiflora lilac
Lilac Agincourt Beauty (Slater, 1973) - the middle of purple-violet flowers (up to 4 cm) is decorated with four white spots. Large inflorescences attract attention with their rich color. The bushes are straight and tall.
Yankee Doodle lilac (Fiala, 1985) is the darkest of all John Fiala varieties. The graphic shape of lilac inflorescences, large flowers (3 cm) of rich purple color and compact bushes, the height of which does not exceed 2 m, are an excellent choice for small gardens.
As well as lilac varieties Frank Paterson and Dr. Brethour (Paterson, 1960), thanks to its tight inflorescences and thick, rich color, falls into the top dozen of the best purple lilacs in the world. The flowers of 'Prodige' (Lemoine, 1928) reach 3.8 cm, and the inflorescences are dense, large, and very showy.
Autumn pruning of lilac bushes
The main activities for pruning lilac bushes are most often carried out very early in the spring before the buds swell or immediately after flowering.
Lilacs are usually pruned immediately after flowering or very early in the spring.
In the fall, sanitary care is usually carried out, which consists of pruning:
- branches that are broken, dry and have signs of damage by insect pests or diseases;
- very old shoots with cracked bark and covered with lichens;
- branches directed to the center of the bush, as well as thickening, twisted and unnecessary ones;
- shoots crossing, rubbing and interfering with each other;
- thin and immature young growth;
- old dried flower brushes that were not trimmed in a timely manner (after flowering).
When sanitary pruning, not only old inflorescences are removed, but also dry, damaged and diseased branches
But there are no absolute contraindications to carrying out other pruning schemes in the fall, so it is permissible to carry out rejuvenating and crown-shaping procedures. Some gardeners prefer to prune lilac bushes exclusively in the autumn. The only condition is the need to complete all activities 3-4 weeks before the onset of a steady cold spell, otherwise the plant’s wounds will not have time to heal and it will hurt.
You can prune lilacs in the fall
The formation of the crown of a lilac seedling begins only after three years . This is done like this:
- Select 4-5 powerful skeletal branches that are directed outward from the center of the bush. Their tops are shortened by a third, approximately the same height. Everything unnecessary is mercilessly cut out.
- The next year, fresh shoots on the main branches are thinned out, leaving only the strongest and best located in space. Unnecessary root shoots and branches inside the bush are also removed.
- Then, over the next 3–4 years, similar procedures are performed, trying to create a uniform crown without thickened areas and noticeable sparse voids.
All cutting areas must be treated with special garden compounds (garden pitch, etc.).
Formative pruning of lilacs is carried out over several years.
Radical anti-aging pruning consists of completely removing all shoots, leaving small stumps (10–15 cm), from which a new crown will develop.
Radical pruning to the stump is performed to rejuvenate old lilac bushes
Video: proper pruning of a lilac bush in the fall
I prefer to trim my lilac hedge in the fall, after the leaves have dropped. Then all the branches become clearly visible and it is easier to get to them. Dried thin branches can be easily broken off by hand. which significantly speeds up the process.
