Dwarf Lilac
One of the best loved springtime flower bouquets is the lilac; however, many people would not be able to enjoy the incredible fragrance of this flower if it were not for the dwarf lilac variety. Because of the diminutive size of this beautiful shrub, even those with limited landscaping area can enjoy the spectacular scent firsthand.
The common lilac, though available in numerous varieties, can typically reach heights over 10 feet. With their spreading habits and the propagation of new shoots continually produced, these types of flowers may not be a good option for a gardener with little space. Fortunately, there is an option for them: the dwarf lilac.
There are several varieties of the dwarf lilac from which to choose. The most popular dwarf lilac variety is the “Miss Kim”, a dwarf Korean. There are also new cultivars that are referred to as the “Fairytale Series” of dwarfs which include Fairy Dust with pink flowers, Sugar Plum Fairy with rosy-lilac blooms and the Tinkerbelle, a wine colored beauty. The Dwarf Korean has a great fan following due to its multiple facets. A compact shrub, its dark green leaves are tiny and the flowers abundant, providing a mantle of sweetly scented blossoms during its bloom season of late spring. Attaining a small size of four to five feet at maturity, the little beauty is perfect for small landscapes, hedges or group plantings.
The dwarf lilac, besides being a lovely shrub addition, is easy to maintain. A sunny location is best for the flowering shrub; a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day is recommended for the maximum bloom potential. Damp soil that has good drainage provides a good foundation for the dwarf lilac, and its ease in adapting to diverse soil conditions means it can grow just about anywhere. The Dwarf Korean variety is winter hardy, although protection from harsh and strong winds would be ideal. The new Fairytale Series of dwarf lilac is not as winter hardy, but would still do well in warmer climates.
Care of the dwarf lilac would include pruning to encourage new growth. Young shrubs, under four years old, rarely need pruning. As they reach their anticipated height around the age of four or five years old, pruning once each year will promote a regenerating shrub that includes both old and new wood to balance out the growth of the dwarf lilac. This will ensure the full canopy of flowers from top to bottom of your shrub each spring. As soon as your shrub has finished flowering, it is time to prune. Eliminate all dead and diseased limbs, and any that cross over one another. Remove the smallest of the new suckers.
With the new varieties of dwarf lilac now widely available providing the same heavenly scent and beautiful foliage of the common varieties, lilacs can be grown everywhere. Every gardener will have the space to include lilacs in their landscapes, whether small or large, with the lovely dwarf lilac.