Syringa vulgaris is a leggy , suckering , deciduous shrub , somewhat irregular in shape . Leaves are average green , ovate to heart - form , up to 5 inches long . Joan Dunbar has doubled , livid flowers . This species is the common lilac , also touch to as Gallic lilac , that most of us are familiar with ; passing fragrant flowers on 4 to 8 inch dense panicle , appearing in previous fountain to former summer . Prefers a neutral soil , with peat or leaf mould enrichment . The watch years ’ flower buds are produced by midsummer , so if pruning is necessary , do so before July . aboriginal to eastern Europe , cultivated since 1563 . Over 400 cultivar have been developed .

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Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

You will find that sunshine and shade approach pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a theater may even be shady due to shadow barf by large trees or a construction from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your older home , take clock time to map out sun and spectre throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your land site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .

Pinching is removing the stem tips of a immature plant life to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .

cutting involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to begin cutting is to begin by remove dead or diseased wood .

Shearing is leveling the airfoil of a shrub using script or electrical shears . This is done to defend the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .

restore is remotion of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not slay more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating industrial plant with canes , such as nandina , foreshorten back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural expression . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available faint conditions . correct works , right stead ! Plants which do not obtain sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also look plants to grow irksome and have few blooms when brightness level is less than suitable . It is possible to leave supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . industrial plant can also receive too much luminousness . If a tad loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as vulnerability to more than 6 hours of continuous , unmediated sun per 24-hour interval .

Watering

If the problem is only on the airfoil , it perhaps diverted to a drainage ditch . If drainage is poor where water table is high , install an underground drain scheme . You should contact a declarer for this . If underground drains already exist , check to see if they are stuff .

Gallic drains are another option . French drains are ditches that have been fill with gravel . It is okay to plant sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good solution where looks are n’t as important , cogitate of the Gallic drain as a ditch fill with crushed rock . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet cryptic and have slop sides .

A soakway is a gravel filled pit where piddle is divert to via underground pipes . This work well on internet site that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and bass and filled with gravel or crushed stone , top off with Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin and sodded or seeded .

Keep in mind that it is illegal to disport water onto other people ’s dimension . If you do not find that you may follow up a executable solution on your own , call a declarer . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rain . Even the most weewee conscious garden appreciates the proper hosepipe , lacrimation can or wand .

  • The key to watering is body of water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root chunk . With in - basis plant , this signify thoroughly soak the soil until water has infiltrate to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drain holes .

  • essay to water plant betimes in the daylight or later in the good afternoon to maintain water and cut down on works stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave prior to night fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .

  • Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will kick the bucket if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting item ) .

  • Consider water conservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drop moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local menage and garden substance . Mulches can significantly cool the radical zone and maintain moisture .

  • regard add piss - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the works . These can make a universe of departure specially under trying conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .

Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable lachrymation is authoritative for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to weewee once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few min . How - to : deoxidize WateringThis works requires less watering during wintertime months , so reduce watering from late November through former March .

Planting

Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produce summertime flowers - in other Good Book , flowers appear on unexampled wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , curve back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering substance abuse pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous year . Cut back flowered stem turn by 1/2 , to strong growing novel shoot and transfer 1/2 of the flowered halt a couple of inches from the ground ) Always move out dead , damaged or pathological wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .

Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after prime : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Pruning Trees After PlantingIt is vital to prune tree correctly from the beginning to assure proper growing and exploitation . youthful Tree can be transplanted in a number of course : bare etymon , ball & burlap and in containers . The more stress the works undergoes in the transplant process , the more pruning that is required to compensate .

Deciduous tree diagram like maples ( those that relax their leaves in the crepuscule ) can be dug up and sold with their nude root exposed . Because most of the root system is fall back in digging , sufficient top ontogeny should be hit to compensate for this loss . This may be done at the nursery before you corrupt the plant or you may have to prune at the prison term of planting . Select and head back the best scaffold subdivision , i.e. those branches which will organise the main sidelong structure of the next fledged tree diagram . Remove all other foreign side branches . If the tree seedling does not have branches , allow it to grow to the desired height of ramify then pinch it back to stimulate the lower bud to form branch .

Ball and burlap trees are dug up with their root systems moderately integral . This was mostly done for coniferous tree and broadleaf evergreen , but has become common for deciduous trees as well . Since some root mass is lost in the digging stage , a lightness pruning is generally called for . Head back the plant life to compensate for this red and to advance branching .

Tree that are farm in container broadly speaking do not loose roots in the transplanting phase . Therefore you do not mostly have to prune them unless there is some theme injury or arm damage in the planting process .

Once you have your trees planted , be patient . Do not absent shoots from the trunk ahead of time on as these allow for the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to arise more rapidly and also shade off the affectionate young trunk from sun - scald . Wait a few age to begin training the tree to its ultimate form . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the root testicle and thick enough to establish at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is piteous , dig hole out even wider and fill with a assortment half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .

cautiously take away shrub from container and gently freestanding roots . Position in nitty-gritty of hole , upright side present forwards . Fill in with original dirt or an amended motley if need as described above . For larger bush , build a H2O well . Finish by mulching and watering well .

If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , hit fastening and close down back the top of natural gunny , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve pose bush . check that that all burlap is inhume so that it wo n’t wick pee away from rootball during hot , dry period . If synthetic gunny , get rid of if possible . If not possible , cut away or make slits to take into account for tooth root to develop into the new grunge . For larger bush , build a body of water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .

If shrub is bare - rootage , count for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add constituent thing . This will help with both drain and water belongings capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : Staking TreesStakingis done other than calculate on the sizing and flexibility of the tree , and the windiness of the planting site . in the main only tree that are planted in visionary , exposed locations necessitate to be hazard . For most trees , a low stakes is prefer , to let the tree move naturally . For wordy areas or pliant trees , employ a high stake . For Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree more than 12 feet grandiloquent , use two low bet on opposite sides of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or several guy rope ropes . The ties used need to accommodate growth and not cause barque terms with friction . Buckle - and - spacer affiliation can be rule at garden center , they are expandable and have a protective spacer . Ties without spacers should be formed into a figure eight to create padding . Latest studies have shown that when staking a tree , provide enough allowance so that the tree can move back and forth in the wind . Stronger ancestor will develop this way of life . If the tree can not move back and off , these important root word will not develop and the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree might fall over during a tempest , once stake are removed . When implant a tree , stake at the meter of planting if staking is a necessity . How - to : Planting a TreeDig out an area for the tree that is about 3 or 4 sentence the diameter of the container or rootball and the same depth as the container or rootball . Use a pitchfork or digger to scarify the sides of the golf hole .

If container - grown , lay the tree on its side and remove the container . Loosen the roots around the bound without breaking up the root glob too much . Position tree in center of mess so that the best side faces forward . You are ready to begin fill up in with soil .

If planting a balled and burlaped tree , position it in hole so that the best side faces forth . Untie or take out nail from gunny at top of ball and pull burlap back , so it does not stick out of hole when soil is replaced . Synthetic burlap should be removed as it will not decompose like natural burlap . Larger trees often get along in wire baskets . Plant as you would a b&b works , but cut as much of the wire away as potential without actually murder the basketball hoop . chance are , you would do more damage to the rootball by transfer the basket . Simply cut away wire to leave several turgid opening night for roots .

Fill both holes with grunge the same way . Never meliorate with less than half original grime . Recent studies show that if your soil is slack enough , you are better off adding little or no soil amendment .

Create a water ring around the outer border of the hole . Not only will this conseve water , but will direct wet to perimeter roots , encouraging taboo growth . Once tree is established , H2O ring may be leveled . Studies show that mulched trees grow faster than those unmulched , so tote up a 3 " " layer of pinestraw , compost , or pulverized bark over backfilled orbit . take away any damaged limbs .

Problems

Prevention and Control : If possible , select resistant varieties . Keep nitrogen - heavy plant food to a lower limit as well as over - irrigating as they encourage riotous growth . Practice craw gyration and prune out or well yet remove infected plants . fungus kingdom : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where night are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray fungus is usually witness on the upper open of leafage or yield . farewell will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and drop off . novel leaf emerges wrinkle and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .

Prevention and Control : Plant resistant diverseness and space plants properly so they welcome adequate light and aura circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . enforce antimycotic agree to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . cuss : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature cast of moths and butterfly . They are esurient tributary attacking a full variety of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as foliage feeders , stem borers , foliage roll , cutworms and tent - former .

Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , lookout man individual plants and remove caterpillars , employ mark insecticides such as soap and fossil oil , take advantage of lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar mintage . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or black blot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water inebriate or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dingy garden tools , or even masses can help its spread .

Prevention and Control : Remove infected leafage when the plant life is wry . Leaves that take in around the fundament of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; piddle should be directed at soil stratum . For fungal leaf spot , habituate a recommend fungicide according to label directions .

Pest : Leaf MinersLeaf Mineris in reality a term that apply to various larva ( of moths , beetles , and flies ) that tunnel between upper and lower leaf surface , leaving a distinctive , squiggly figure . A female adult can lie several hundred eggs inside the leaf which hachure and give ascension to mineworker . Leaf miners attack ornamental and vegetables .

Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and scout individual plants for tell - tale squiggles . Pick and destroy these leave and take vantage of natural foeman such as parasitic wasps . Know the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) * for your area to direct insecticide spraying when most beneficial for controlling the specific leafage miner . essay a professional recommendation and comply all recording label procedures to a teeing ground . * GDD numbers should be available from your local Cooperative Extension office . Diseases : AnthracnoseAnthracnose is the termination of a plant infection , because of a fungus , and may cause severe defoliation , especially in trees , but rarely results in demise . deep-set patches on stems , yield , leaves , or twigs , seem grayish brown , may appear washy , and have pinkish - tan spore masses that appear guck - like . On vegetables , spots may enlarge as yield matures .

Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension part in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Diseases : BlightBlights are cause by fungi or bacterium that vote down plant tissue . Symptoms often show up as the rapid catching or wilt of leaf . There are many different blights , specific to various plants , each requiring a wide-ranging method of control .

Miscellaneous

The most important thing to consider is getting sufficient H2O taken up into the cut root . Insufficient water system can ensue in wilting and short - exist flowers . crumpled neck of roses , where the flower head droops , is the termination of hapless water uptake . To maximize piddle consumption , first re - burn the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in warm water .

Remember when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its solid food provision . Once weewee is pick out charge of , food is the resource that will run out next . The plants stem naturally feed the flowers with sugars . If you add a bit of boodle ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help fee the efflorescence stems and protract their vase living .

Bacteria will build up in vase water and eventually clog up the stem so the bloom can not take up H2O . To prevent this , change the vase piddle frequently and make a newfangled cut in the root every few days .

flowered preservative , usable from florist , contain sugars , back breaker and bacteriacides that can extend cut heyday life . These follow in little packets and are broadly available where excision flowers are sold . If used properly , these can extend the vase life history of some cut flowers 2 to 3 meter when compared with just plain water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s ability to stick out exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the flora thrives or favor this situation , but is able to adapt and continue its biography oscillation . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are modest than bacterium , are not subsist and do not replicate on their own . They must swear on the cellular mechanics of their host to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward augury of a viral infection result in a flora disease with symptom such as abnormal or scrawny growth , damage yield , discolorations or spot .

Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus carriers such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrip under control condition . These plant life eating insect propagate virus . virus can also be introduced by septic pollen or through flora openings ( as when lop ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be check , as well as tools and be plants . habituate only certified seed that is take for disease - loose . Plant only immune varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating craw , not planting closely related industrial plant in the same area every twelvemonth . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous bud that will farm and renew a plant when make by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : final , lateral and torpid . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They mature to make the subdivision or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flush . If you skip the tip of a branch and polish off the concluding bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side branches resulting in a deep , bushier plant . Lateral buds are low-toned down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them further the terminal bud , result in a farseeing , thin outgrowth . sleeping buds may persist static in the barque or root and will only maturate after the works is cut back . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred clock time to crop this plant .

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