Lilac Trees

Lilac Tree Varieties, Care, Disease Treatment and Pruning Tips

A sure sign that the warm days of spring are upon us is the bloom of the Lilac tree (Syringa species). Their colorful clusters of flowers and magnificent fragrance make the lilac tree a favorite shrub among arborists, gardeners, tree service experts and even non-gardeners. There are over 20 species with 1,000 lilac tree varieties alone. Different varieties of lilac trees can have blossoms that are pink, purple or white. For almost two weeks, primarily during May, we are graced with their beauty and welcoming fragrance. After the blooms are gone, the green, heart shaped leaves continue to add depth and character to the landscape. You can extend the display of lilac tree flowers for as much as six weeks, by planting different lilac tree varieties.

Tree Service for Lilac Tree Varieties

Most lilac trees are hardy, medium to large shrubs that are easy to grow and can last for hundreds of years. These trees prefer direct sunlight and neutral soil with good drainage. Here are some of our tree service specialists’ favorite lilac tree varieties:

• A long time beloved classic is the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris). It ranges in height from seven to 15 feet with a spread of leggy branches six to 12 feet, forming an asymmetrical crown. Flowers are purple to white and very fragrant. It works well in a shrub border or as a screening plant.
• An attractive smaller (four to eight foot high and five to 10 foot spread) and dense variety, cultivated since time immemorial, is the Persian Lilac tree (Syringa x persica). Its elegant arching branches have abundant panicles of lavender flowers, making it a lovely addition to a small garden or border.
• If you are looking for a unique and dramatic lilac tree, consider the ‘Sensation lilac’ (a/k/a French lilac) (Syringa vulgaris), ranging 10 feet high and six feet wide. Blooms are deep purple with a bright white edging. They produce a wonderful perfume and a spectacular display.
• The ‘Miss Kim’ lilac tree (Syringa patula) is a hardy compact shrub (five feet high by five feet wide) from Korea whose purple buds turn into lavender blooms when most other varieties have ended. Miss Kim lilacs add exceptional deep red fall color to the landscape.
• The Japanese lilac tree (Syringa reticulata) is a very interesting small ornamental tree with rich white showy flowers in the spring and tan attractive fruit in the fall and winter. It also has a distinctive dark bark with white lenticels.

When selecting a lilac consider size, form, color and location to best enjoy their beauty and scent. If you’d like to establish lilac tree varieties in your landscape, we have access to consulting arborists that can help you purchase and plant new lilac trees. For a complimentary consultation with a certified arborist, contact the location nearest you.

Lilac Tree Diseases, Insect Problems and Tree Pruning

Powdery mildew is the most common tree disease to inflict lilac trees. Other problem pests that you should ask your tree service expert about include lilac borer, lilac leafminer and scale.

Tree pruning is the best tip for maintaining lilac trees. The key is to prune them after flowering as next year’s flowers are produced in the summer. Older, leggy stalks can be cut to the bottom of the plant, while younger shoots should be cut back by approximately half to where the branches are joined together.

Click or call today to arrange a complimentary consultation from our fully trained and certified arborists for tree service, shrub care and tree pruning from SavATree. Click here to contact the office nearest you.