The lilac, originally from Southeast Europe, can be found in numerous gardens and is a real feast for the eyes, especially during its flowering period. The shrub or small tree is considered robust and undemanding, and it can also become very old. The popular wood can also be cultivated in a sufficiently large bucket, especially if it is a small species such as Syringa meyeri (dwarf lilac) or Syringa microphylla (small-leaved autumn lilac).

Lilac belongs to the olive tree family

Lilac at a glance

  • Botanical name: Syringa
  • Genus: Lilac
  • Family: Oleaceae
  • Species: about 30 species, including Syringa vulgaris (common lilac), royal lilac or Chinese lilac (Syringa × chinensis), Canada lilac or Preston's lilac (Syringa × prestoniae), dwarf lilac (Syringa meyeri)
  • Origin and distribution: Asia and Europe
  • Growth form: shrub-like or as a tree
  • Growth height: depending on the species between 200 and 500 cm
  • Location: sunny to light semi-shade
  • Soil: moderately dry, calcareous, well drained
  • Flowers: Arranged in panicles up to 30 centimeters long
  • Flower colors: different shades of pink and purple, white
  • Flowering time: usually between May and June, depending on the variety
  • leaves: simple, rarely pinnate
  • Use: Ornamental shrub or tree in gardens and parks, as a specimen plant, in groups, as a hedge or (especially small varieties) in tubs
  • Toxicity: slightly toxic
  • Hardiness: yes
  • Risk of confusion: summer lilac (Buddleja) due to the similar blossom, black elder (Sambucus nigra) due to the name "lilac" (which is also used for the elder in northern Germany)

Characterization, species and varieties

The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), which has been cultivated in Central Europe since the 16th century and offers a large variety of varieties, is usually to be found in the gardens and parks. However, there are a number of other species that bloom just as beautifully - and often exude the characteristic scent. Lilacs are usually grown as a shrub or small tree and, depending on the species and variety, can grow to between 150 and 600 centimeters in height. Despite the characteristic, sweet scent, the lilac is rarely attacked by insects: it tastes very bitter because of its slightly toxic ingredients, which is especially true of its flowers and their nectar.

No relation to the buddleia or butterfly bush

If you want to do something good for butterflies, bumblebees and bees, it is better to cultivate the summer or butterfly bush (Buddleja) instead of the common lilac, which is a popular pasture for moths in particular. The species are not related despite the same name and the similar flowers.

tips

On many websites and in some cookbooks you can also find recipes for elderberries or elderflowers, for example elderberry juice or elderflower tea, both of which are said to have an antipyretic effect. However, these are not the berries or flowers of the Syringa lilac, but those of the black elder (Sambucus nigra), which is often referred to as "lilac" especially in northern Germany - which of course causes confusion.

Category:

Trees