Memorial Day Lilacs! Information on them- including differece between double and single blooming varietys.

Lilac blooms May 26th from a bush that was significantly reduced in size in 2010


The lilacs are in bloom this week, and they could not have been more perfect on their timing! They came into full bloom right on the memorial holiday weekend, which is perfect because normally they end up blooming just before the Holiday weekend. Lilacs are known for their blooms around Memorial Day!

Lilac blooms May 26th 2011

This year I'd like to provide answer to a few of the most commonly asked questions. to get lilacs like in the pictures above.

Lilacs are one of the most beloved and the most commonly planted bushes in Western Wisconsin. In May they can be seen blooming beautify along the countryside, in farm yards as well as in our community's and cities. They come in many colors and are one of the most fragrant flowers in the Upper Midwest and the smell is unforgettable to many. Some of the most common questions are light requirements. Lilacs need at least some good afternoon sunshine to provide the best and full blooms. Although I've seen lilacs blooming well on north sides of treelines and in a fair amount of shade if lilacs are surrounding completely by shade, blooms will not be as abundant.

My gardens White blooming double lilacs May 28th 2011

Another commonly asked question is trimming and pruning. Lilacs bloom on old wood and develop buds for the next springs bloom right after the current years bloom, meaning that if you just were to cut your entire bush back to the ground you would not seen flowers next Spring. It's best to take the 3 year prune out approach when pruning lilacs taking out a few of the oldest branches each year which I found great success on. It's also a good idea not to let lilacs sucker much around the base because they can become quite large and wide if allowed. The lilac at the top of the post used to be so large you could not see into the lawn behind from that area easily probably 20 feet wide.

Close-up Common old fashioned lilac-Single blooming variety.

One last piece information I wanted to share what exactly the difference in between double and single blooming lilacs. From afar, you can really see no difference, but if you get close up you can see a clear difference! The little flowers in the clusters of the single blooming variety have four petals

My great grandmas double-blooming white Lilac which inherited.

The double blooming variety has multiple little petals in each flower cluster, giving them a more ruffled appearance.

Dark purple double lilac

The multiple petals can really be seen in this dark colored lilac. Not only do they look different, but each variety and color of lilac does have it's own unique scent, My favorite and the kinda I find most powerful are the old fashioned single blooming variety, I believe nothing can beat old fashioned when it comes to Lilacs!