Lilacs are at home in many gardens - often as a solitaire or as part of a perennial border. However, the fast-growing shrub is also ideal for planting hedges - and grows so densely that it reliably shields prying eyes from the property.
Lilac is a fast-growing plant, making it a wonderful hedge plant
Which is why lilacs are wonderfully suited as a privacy hedge
Depending on the type and variety, the shrub can grow up to four meters high and forms a dense, impenetrable foliage. In addition, lilacs bloom wonderfully from around the beginning of May in a wide variety of purple or pink tones as well as white - just by combining different colored lilacs with each other, you can already achieve a fantastic visual effect during the flowering period.
Planting and care of a lilac hedge
Furthermore, lilacs are considered undemanding and easy to care for, properties that only reinforce their suitability for hedge planting. But be careful: the shrub was not classified as invasive for no reason, because it reproduces profusely via root suckers, which can appear many meters away. Inquire about varieties that have largely discarded this propagation method: experience has shown that many lilacs are among them.
location
The desired lilac hedge needs a sunny and warm location, which does not have to be protected. In contrast to many other trees, lilac tolerates drafts and wind very well and is therefore not only ideal as a privacy screen, but also as a windbreak. However, a sunny location is an absolute must, because even in the light penumbra, the impressive lilac blooms clearly fade.
planting
As a solitaire, the lilac needs a fairly large planting distance, but not if you want to plant it as a hedge. In this case, place up to four plants per meter, then the later lilac hedge will be nice and dense. Dig out sufficiently large planting holes at regular intervals, whereby you can enrich the excavation with compost and horn shavings (32.93€) - this gives the young lilacs the right starting signal to grow. Don't forget to water the newly planted lilacs vigorously.
maintenance
The easy-care lilac copes very well with drought and, as a planted hedge, only needs to be watered in the event of a long-lasting drought and when it is still very young and has just been planted. Older lilacs take care of themselves through their roots. Fertilize with compost and horn shavings twice a year: once when they sprout and again in early summer.
tips
Lilacs should actually be cut after flowering, but this is forbidden in hedges because of breeding birds. Therefore, cut the plants in autumn, but note that lilacs are absolutely not suitable for a strict hedge trimming.