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Questions tagged [lilac]

Genus Syringa, flowering woody plants native to SE Europe to E.Asia

"Lilac" is the common name for genus Syringa in the Oleaceae family. The lilacs consist of about 20-25 species and are native to woodland and scrub from SE Europe through to E. Asia. They are widely cultivated in temperate climates around the World.

Lilacs are flowering deciduous plants that grow as shrubs or small trees. Flowers are typically purple (often light purple - hence the name 'lilac') but also white, pale yellow, burgundy, and pink are known.

Lilacs are closely related to Ligustrum (privet) and both are classified in the Oleeae tribe.

Lilacs are popular shrubs for both parks and gardens due to their flowers and tolerance of soil types. A range of different cultivars of different flower colors are available.

Use this tag for all questions about growing lilacs.

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Is it possible to create lilacs with different colored flowers on different branches?

Is it possible to create (using grafting) a Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) which has different colors? One branch with white flowers, the other with lilac?
asalamon74
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How are lilac cuttings taken?

I have an old lilac bush that I would like to propagate. Suckers work, but I would like more control over amount, uniformity, and size. I had heard that they root readily from hardwood and semi-ripe cuttings, but after several failed attempts, I…
J. Musser
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How do I save lilac seeds?

I know it's possible, because that's how people come out with new hybrids, but how does one go about saving the seeds of a lilac? Specifically, I have the straight species of Syringa vulgaris, and each year it produces a few seed capsules in the…
J. Musser
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Do Bloomerang and Josee lilacs rebloom as well as advertised?

Looking through catalogs, I see pictures of lilac bushes in full bloom with sunflowers blooming nearby, illustrating how well they rebloom during the season. If I bought one, should I expect that or should I expect them to be like my reblooming day…
J. Musser
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What is the cause of the dead spots in my lilac bush?

Last year, we built a home and got a Lilac as part of our landscaping package. The landscaping was planted in August, so it's almost made it a full year now. In June, we started to see dead spots appearing in the bush, where the leaves shrivel up…
Mike Cornell
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Why are my lilacs dying and what can I do about it?

I have some large, old lilacs that seem to be dying. They start out great in the season, then leaves on individual branches start to get a variegated look, then curl, then brown, then finally die. I have many lilacs, but three in particular seem to…
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Can I transplant a shade-growing lilac into a sunny spot?

All of the lilac bushes I've ever grown have been in the sun. I assumed that was important for their survival. When cleaning up the yard yesterday in preparation for spring planting, I found a lilac in an area that gets very little, if any, sun,…
Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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How should I water and feed lilac bushes?

How often should I water and what should I feed the lilac bushes to make them flourish? Some have lichen on branches.
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Pruning a Lilac in November (South East, UK)

The leaves are falling off the 6'x6'x10' beast of a lilac I inherited from the previous homeowners, and I'm wondering whether now is an appropriate time to start reducing the height. The plan was to take the front 1/3 or 1/4 of the canopy away this…
James Finch
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What are these nodules growing on my miniature lilac?

Does anyone know what is growing on my miniature lilac? The nodules are all over the stems and first appeared in the late spring. I have tried searching the internet for an answer but the common problems listed for Lilacs don't mention this. The…
Annie
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Can I rejuvenate a very old lilac bush that has regrown from the base?

I have a very old (about 120-125 yrs. old) lilac bush. It was cut almost to the ground 20 years ago. I had been told that this was how to control giant lilacs. It had formerly been 18' high and 25' across, and was hard to mow under. I regret this…
J. Musser
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Lilac Tree Branches Suddenly Dying

I have a Japanese Lilac Tree that was fine 2 weeks ago now there is 2 dead branches and 1 that is starting to die. They are not isolated and are random, with the first near the base of the canopy one one side, then another on the other side. The…
user31157
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How should I prune my lilac to shrink it?

I have a few lilacs on my property, but this one in particular is next to my house. When and how should I prune it? Ideally, I would like it to be about two feet less in diameter, but I’m worried that would cut off all the greenery. Any tips?
Ian MacDonald
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What's the correct lilac plant for my growing conditions?

I want to get one lilac and I wasn't aware that there are different kinds. I live in New Jersey, the soil is clay and acidic. I want to place it in front of my house where it gets half day full on sun. Also, my main concern is, I'm highly allergic…
Joseph Wit
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Dying French Lilac

I live in South East Tennessee. About 7 years ago I planted two Lilac bushes in my front yard. One is the regular purple kind, the other is called a French Lilac. The purple one started to get too congested in the middle, so I cut out all the middle…
Juliana
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