Lilacs in a nutshell
- Botanical name: Syringa
- Genus: lilac
- Family: Oleaceae
- Species: approx. 30 species, including Syringa vulgaris (common lilac), king lilac or Chinese lilac (Syringa × chinensis), Canadian lilac or Preston lilac (Syringa × prestoniae), dwarf lilac (Syringa meyeri)
- Origin and distribution: Asia and Europe
- Growth habit: shrub-like or as a tree
- Growth height: depending on the species between 200 to 500 cm
- Location: sunny to light penumbra
- Soil: moderately dry, calcareous, well-drained
- Flower: arranged in flower panicles up to 30 centimeters long
- Flower colors: different shades of pink and purple, white
- Flowering time: mostly between May and June, depending on the variety
- Leaves: simple, rarely pinnate
- Use: Ornamental shrub or tree in gardens and parks, as a solitary, in groups, as a hedge or (especially small-growing varieties) in a tub
- Toxicity: not very toxic
- Winter hardiness: yes
- Danger of confusion: Buddleia (Buddleja) due to the similar flowering, black elder (Sambucus nigra) due to the name “Lilac” (which is also used for the elder in northern Germany)
Characterization, types and varieties
The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), which has been cultivated in Central Europe since the 16th century and offers a wide variety of varieties, can usually be found in the gardens and parks. However, there are a number of other species that bloom just as beautifully - and often also exude the characteristic scent. Lilac is usually grown as a shrub or small tree and can reach heights of between 150 and 600 centimeters, depending on the type and variety. Despite the characteristic, sweet scent, the lilac is rarely approached by insects: it tastes very bitter because of its slightly toxic ingredients, which is especially true for its flowers and their nectar.
also read
- What height can lilacs reach?
- Lilacs can be best combined with these plants
- Can you plant lilacs in partial shade?
No relationship with the summer or butterfly lilac
If you want to do something good for butterflies, bumblebees and bees, you should rather cultivate summer or butterfly lilac (Buddleja), which is a popular pasture for butterflies in particular. Despite having the same name and similar flowers, the species are not related to one another.
Tips
On some websites as well as in some cookbooks you can also find recipes for lilac berries or lilac flowers, for example lilacberry juice or lilac blossom tea, both of which are supposed to reduce fever. These are not the berries or flowers of the Syringa lilac, but those of the black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), which is often referred to as “lilac”, especially in northern Germany - which of course causes confusion.
