The first lilacs from Constantinople reached Austria as early as the 16th century, from where they quickly spread in all directions. The robust flowering shrub quickly became part of the characteristic planting of a cottage garden, but was also found in parks and palaces as well as in monastery gardens. In many gardens it still cuts a fine figure as a solitary plant or as part of a group planting.
Lilac is perfectly combined with other bushes and perennials
Combine lilac with yourself - types and varieties
Common lilacs (Syringa vulgaris), also known as country lilacs, can be found in many gardens. However, there are about 30 different species - and countless varieties that bloom purple, white or yellow. This variety of species and varieties makes it possible to combine the lilac with itself and thus extend the lilac bloom by a few weeks - some lilacs bloom quite late between June and July. The most beautiful lilacs for the home garden are:
- Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris): different varieties such as the noble lilac
- Canadian lilac / 'Preston lilac' (Syringa x prestoniae): particularly robust and especially suitable for small gardens
- Chinese Lilac / 'Royal Lilac' (Syringa x chinensis)
- Dwarf Scented Lilac (Syringa meyeri)
- Dwarf lilac (Syringa microphylla)
For lovers of the special, the 'Primrose' variety should be of particular interest. This noble lilac is the only variety so far that has neither white nor violet flowers. Instead, it shows light yellow flower spikes between May and June.
Combine lilac with other flowering shrubs
When combining with other flowering shrubs, you should make sure that the different species have similar requirements in terms of location, soil and care - then it will also work with the neighborhood. It is also necessary to keep sufficient planting distance so that the trees remain healthy and have room to grow. The size of this distance depends, among other things, on depending on the specific use. Hedges, for example, can be planted closer than loose group plantings. Examples of suitable neighbors are:
- ornamental apple (penalty)
- ornamental cherry (Prunus)
- Weigela (Weigela)
- blood plum (Prunus cerasifera)
- Scented jasmine / mock orange (Philadelphus)
- Kolkwitzia / mother-of-pearl shrub (Kolkwitzia amabilis)
- Royal spars (Astilbe japonica)
- Garden Hibiscus / Garden Marshmallow (Hibiscus syriacus)
- Hydrangeas (Hydrangea)
- laburnum (Laburnum watereri) - caution, highly toxic!
- Bush mallows (Lavatera)
- Snowball (Viburnum)
- Ranunculus (Kerria japonica)
- roses (pink)
- Crape Myrtle / 'Southern Lilac' (Lagerstroemia)
tips
The garden lilac can also be combined with the summer lilac (Buddleja davidii), which is not related despite the similar name - then you will have numerous butterflies in the garden between May and October.