Japanese Lilac
Important Facts to Know about the Japanese Lilac
The best garden is one that has flowers continuously blooming throughout the year; the Japanese lilac tree is one addition that can prolong springtime blooming well into June.
Springtime is a time of rebirth of plants and shrubs. The long awaited heady scent of lilacs begins to perfume the spring air around the beginning of May, but usually lasts only a few weeks. This delightful sensory treat can be prolonged by simply adding staggered blooming lilacs to your garden. There are varieties of lilacs which bloom at different times through the spring; some early spring, some mid-season, and some such as the Japanese lilac tree will bloom well in June.
There are a few considerations that should be made before deciding to add the Japanese lilac to your landscape. It is considered a tree, rather than a shrub, and will attain heights up 25 feet. This means that it would not be the ideal choice for someone looking for a lilac to add to a small yard or the back of a flower bed. But for the lucky gardener who has room for this incredible tree, there will be many rewards in store.
The Japanese lilac requires full sun and good drainage the same as any lilac variety, and offers a profusion of beautiful plumes of tiny, clustered flowers. The flowers are generally white to creamy-white with a strong perfume. Here, however, is where the resemblance to the common lilac ends. Growing to heights of 25 feet, the Japanese lilac is borne upon a thick, shiny trunk, supporting a full canopy of dark green foliage. The ornate, showy blooms in June can measure up to a full 12 inches in length. Once the blooms have diminished, the tree will provide invaluable shade through the hot summer months. Unlike most lilacs which simply go dormant, the Japanese lilac tree offers a showy winter display as well, with light goldish-tan to brown ornamental fruit.
Care of the Japanese lilac is simple. Pruning should be done after the blooms have left, being careful not to cut away too much to ensure its blooming ability for the next year. High winds can leave a damaging effect on the tree, inhibiting its blooming process for the next season, so it should be planted away from these areas.
The Japanese lilac tree is ideal for those who have the garden space and wish to lengthen their lilac blooming period. Placed behind a row of early and mid season blooming lilacs, the Japanese lilac will be entering its blooming phase just as the earlier lilacs fade away.
Having a few extra weeks to enjoy the incredible scents of blooming lilacs will be a gift to your senses. And, while not for every garden, the Japanese lilac can be a beautiful addition to a landscape throughout the year.