Who doesn't love lilacs? The ideal lilac shrub has about 10 canes and produces flowers at eye-level—all the better to enjoy that sweet, haunting fragrance. Learn how to take care of lilacs as well as prune at the right time.
The common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, blooms in the northern states for 2 weeks from mid- to late spring. However, there are early-, mid-, and late-season lilacs, which, when grown together, ensure a steady bloom for at least 6 weeks.
Lilacs are hardy, easy to grow, and low maintenance. They can grow from 5 to 15 feet tall, depending on the variety. The fragrant flowers are good for cutting and attractive to butterflies.
PlantingPruning Lilacs
The most common and fragrant lilacs are of the S. vulgaris variety:
Although common lilacs love cold weather, a few thrive as south as Zone 9, among them the cutleaf lilac, a fragrant pale lavender. Syringa patula 'Miss Kim' is a graceful shrub with pale lilac-blue flowers that fade to white.
Wit and Wisdom
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Scientific name: Chrysodeixis chalcites Esper Native range: Europe, Middle East, Africa At Risk This species is a major pest in many countries. Some of the key plants at risk in Minnesota include soybean, potato and tomato. Golden twin spot moth has a broad host range and, in addition to the key plants at risk, it also affects other plants grown in Minnesota including clover, alfalfa, corn, cucumber, peppers, green beans, cruciferous vegetables and strawberry. It has als
Scientific name: Popillia japonica Newman Native range: Japan At Risk Many different plants are consumed by Japanese beetle adults, some of their favorites include roses, grapes, apple and basswood. Larvae feed on the roots of grasses and can be a problem for yards and turf. Read about advice on managing Japanese beetle from the University of Minnesota. Japanese beetle can be a significant landscape pest and difficult to tolerate, particularly when they first become
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