Lilac is a shrub or small tree, from time immemorial, grown by plant growers in many countries. Of constant popularity in park-decorative ensembles, lilac owes its amazing qualities.
Beauty lilac
Dark green leaves of a beautiful form, amazing flowers, shrouded in mysterious legends among different peoples, lush and long flowering, unpretentiousness in care - all this is a lilac. This shrub or tree with lush inflorescences of purple, lilac, pink, red, yellow and white color well withstands urban conditions, feels great in shaded places, multiplies easily, and tolerates pruning. Lilac flowers have a delicate aroma, and numerous varieties bred by plant lovers over several hundred years represent a wide range of shades of petal color and allow you to choose a shrub for almost any climatic zone.
A bit of history
The biological name of the plant in the classification (Syringa L.) sends us to Greece. The Greek word 'Syrinx' is translated as “tube", which is associated with the shape of the flower. Another version is the origin of the name on behalf of the ancient Greek nymph Siring, who escaped from the god of forests in love with her and turned into a bush, from which Pan subsequently made a pipe. Lilac was first introduced into the horticultural culture in China; it was planted in Buddhist monasteries as a symbol of enlightenment. Ficus grown in India did not take root in the harsh climatic conditions of China, therefore, with the advancement of Buddhism, lilacs also spread to the north.
Is it a bush or a tree? The shape of the plant depends on pruning. Despite this, according to the classification, lilac is a shrub. Free-growing wild species have many trunks, the height of which reaches 8 meters. For decorative purposes, a lush bush of 5-15 trunks is usually formed, but some varieties are pruned in the shape of a tree.
Lilac came to Europe in the 16th century along the Great Silk Road from Persia. Initially, the plant came to Austria, and from there it spread to other countries. The “Persian” lilac was not particularly beautiful, but firmly took its place in European culture. With the help of a branch of lilac, the girls refused the gentlemen of the matchmaking. The popularity of the shrub has greatly increased after in 1870, the French breeder Victor Lemoine crossed two species of plants and received a magnificent hybrid. Over the next hundred years, the company, founded by the breeder, bred more than 200 varieties of lilacs.
The bush was brought to Russia in the middle of the 18th century. In the Soviet period, Leonid Kolesnikov made a great contribution to the breeding of the beauty. A simple gardener, he has been breeding new varieties for over forty years. The state appreciated its achievements, and Kolesnikov was appointed director of the nursery. Under his leadership, more than 300 varieties of lilacs were bred.
Biological characteristics
Lilac belongs to the genus of shrubs, the olive family. Its closest relatives are ash, privet and forsythia. Of the heat-loving relatives - olive and jasmine (the one that grows in southern countries). In the wild, the plant is found in the mountains of Europe (in the south), in China and in the Far East. There are about 30 species of this plant and many cultivars and hybrids.
Popular varieties of lilac
The following types of lilacs are widespread in Russia:
- Amur Lilac. This is a shrub or tree up to 20 meters high, growing in the Far East and forests of Northeast China. The flowers are white or cream, small; blooms late. Resistant to frost.
- Hungarian Lilac. This is a shrub or tree 4-7 meters tall, lilac flowers, inflorescences are divided into tiers. Unpretentious to conditions, drought-resistant, garden forms of two types: pale purple and reddish flowers.
- Velvety Lilac. A small compact shrub that grows in Korea and North China. The flowers are lilac, with a white velvety cup; flowering is plentiful, but shorter than in other species (about 10 days).
- Persian Lilac. Short, blooms later, long and plentifully. Sensitive to frost.
- Wolf Lilac.
Hybrid species: Henry Lilac, Hyacinth Lilac, Chinese. Hyacinth terry lilac looks very impressive. This is a tree or shrub, the photo is presented below.
But the most popular among plant growers in Russia is Lilac ordinary. On its basis, many varieties are bred: Primrose, Donbass Lights, Dream, Congo, Cavour, Vestal, Amethyst, Beauty of Moscow, terry varieties. The bushes are unpretentious in care, reproduce well, grow quickly, bloom long and luxuriantly, and are resistant to weather conditions in the middle lane.