low chill lilacs

Low Chill Descanso Lilacs

Like all lilacs the Descanso prefers a well drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. ...
Often it takes two to three years (a couple of prunings) to see blooms from Descanso Lilacs. ...
With very little patience, no overwatering and Spring pruning, the Descanso Lilac is an outstanding addition to any mild.

Can lilacs survive a freeze?

Lilacs withstand a chilly winter better than most plants. ... This occurs in late winter to early spring when buds are beginning to break and a harsh freeze comes along. Use a blanket, canvas, or even plastic tent over the bush to help protect the buds form the cold.

How cold can lilacs survive?

Lilacs can happily live in temperatures down to minus-40 degrees.

Is there a dwarf lilac bush?

Types of Dwarf Lilacs

One of the most well-known of the compact shrubs is the Korean Dwarf lilac or Meyer lilac. ... Josee, a compact lilac that may get up to 6 feet (1.8 m.) in height, is a re-bloomer with lavender-pink blooms.

Which is the most fragrant lilac?

The lilac usually considered the most fragrant is a Chinese native—S. pubescens. It has small, white flowers tinged with purple. The fragrance is sweet and spicy, very different from the traditional “lilac” scent.

Will one night of frost kill my plants?

A light frost may cause minimal damage while a severe frost may kill plants. Young, vulnerable plants are much more susceptible to a light freeze, which occurs when temperatures are 29 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, while mature plants may only suffer from short-term effects.

How do you winterize a lilac bush?

Give your lilac a good watering (2 to 3 gallons) before the ground freezes to ensure the shrub is hydrated before winter starts. Use 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch, like shredded leaves or bark, around the base of your lilac to prevent winter heave, the exposure of roots due to the ground freezing and thawing.

Can I plant lilac next to House?

Lilac roots aren't considered invasive and as long as you leave enough space between the tree, or shrub, and the structure, there is little risk from planting lilacs near foundations. Lilac roots generally spread one and one-half times the width of the shrub.

Do lilacs spread?

Lilac bushes will typically flower without any effort from you. However, if left to grow and spread on their own, common lilacs will eventually only flower on the tops of the uppermost branches.

Is there a difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?

To clear up any confusion, there is no difference between a lilac bush and a lilac tree, they are the same plant just called by different names.

Can you keep lilac bush small?

An older lilac may stop blooming if neighboring trees have grown up to cast shade on it. Lilacs need regular renewal pruning to thin them out and control their size. ... Since common lilac is a big shrub or a small tree, growing 8 to 20 feet tall and almost as wide, it can simply be too much shrub for smaller yards.

Are lilacs low maintenance?

Lilacs are hardy, easy to grow, and low maintenance. They can grow from 5 to 15 feet tall, depending on the variety.

How do you prune a dwarf lilac bush?

Make the cut just above a new shoot or bud. Cut branches back selectively to shape the dwarf lilac bush as desired, removing no more than one-third of any stem and making a clean cut just above a bud facing in the desired direction. Dwarf lilacs generally require little of this type of pruning.

Why do lilacs die so quickly?

One of the main reasons why lilacs start to die back is that they are not pruned enough. When dead branches are left on the tree, they leech nutrients and water from the rest of the tree. The younger branches don't get enough nourishment, so they start dying back, too.

What should I plant next to my lilac bush?

Herbaceous peonies and tree peonies (Paeonia) are wonderful companions to lilacs. They are compatible in color, fragrance and form, and make each other look better. Plant peonies at your lilac' foot to hide its poorly clad legs and savor the beauty and pervasive perfume they lavish on those who passes-by.

Why are lilacs so expensive?

Most of the supply comes from Holland, where growers have been perfecting the art of forcing lilacs out of season for 150 years. The labor-intensive forcing system and the cost of shipping the heavy woody stems makes Dutch lilacs pricey.

Should you water plants before a frost?

If it is not going to rain before the freezing temperatures arrive, you should water plants thoroughly. This is because moist ground stays warmer than dry ground. Watering the night before the freeze arrives will insulate the root structure of the grass and plants, decreasing the potential for cold injury.

How do I protect my plants from late frost?

Bed sheets, drop cloths, blankets and plastic sheets make suitable covers for vulnerable plants. Use stakes to keep material, especially plastic, from touching foliage. Remove the coverings when temperatures rise the next day. For a short cold period, low plantings can be covered with mulch, such as straw or leaf mold.

Will a tarp protect plants from frost?

Cover Plants – Protect plants from all but the hardest freeze (28°F for five hours) by covering them with sheets, towels, blankets, cardboard or a tarp. You can also invert baskets, coolers or any container with a solid bottom over plants. Cover plants before dark to trap warmer air.

Do lilacs like coffee grounds?

Using Fresh Coffee Grounds

Grow lilacs in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (at a pH near 7.0). If your soil is in poor condition, add compost to enrich. Lilacs don't like wet feet and will not bloom with too much water.

What is the lifespan of a lilac bush?

1. Lilacs live a long time. Some lilacs shrub varieties can live 200 years, so think about this when you plant them and put them in a place where they aren't likely to be disturbed. Two of the most fragrant are 'Miss Kim' and plain old Syringa vulgaris, the common lilac.

Will vinegar kill a lilac bush?

Will vinegar kill a lilac bush? Salt and vinegar can be combined to create a quick and easy plant killer, which will effectively dehydrate and destroy any undesired bushes in your yard. Mix 1 pound of salt with 1 gallon of 5 percent acetic acid white vinegar.