Syringa Vulgaris, Lilac tree 5 Litre: 'Victor Lemoine' is a spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree, upright when young, with heart-shaped, dark green leaves and slender, dense panicles of double, intensely fragrant, flowers in late spring and early summer. They begin rosy pink and open pale lavender/ blue, they are a big attraction for bees, butterflies and other pollinators
Lilacs are generally classed as large shrubs or small trees or opinion is they lie somewhere in between both, they are probably best known for the beautiful fragrant flowers they produce in late spring through to early summer, so be sure to plant somewhere where you can appreciate them it in full.
This antique French shrub creates beautiful double lavender and rose coloured blooms that are intensely fragrant, it was first introduced in 1906 at the creators nursery in Nancy France
What to expect: Your plant will arrive planted in a 5 litre/23cm pot. It will have an actual plant height excluding the pot of approximately 70-80cm. And depending on the time of year purchased may be in flower.
Planting position: For best results and to help produce large flowers they are best situated in a sunny spot, however they will tolerate some partial light shade.
Soil: Will happily adapt to most types of free draining damp soil, waterlogged areas should be avoided.
Suitable for container Planting: Yes will adapt to being pot grown without issue, will need to be re potted approximately every 2-3 years in fresh compost, for best results a John Innes Number 3 is recommended.
Eventual height and spread: Lilacs can grow into reasonably large specimen’s up to 7 metres with 5 metre spread.
Growth speed: Medium.
Growth Habit: Upright, bushy.
Flowering Period: Late spring through to early summer, although this is weather dependent may be slightly later after bad winters or cold springs.
Pruning: In an ideal situation some light pruning should be undertaken on a yearly basis, this promotes vigorous growth and enhances the flowers it produces, it should consist of removing diseased, damaged or non-productive stems, these are generally the very thin ones, heavy pruning is not recommended for this variety. Foliage: Large pale green heart shaped leaves. Rose pink/ lavender flowers late spring through early summer
Evergreen: No deciduous
Hardiness: Yes fully winter hardy for the whole of the UK.
Like most plants Lilacs will benefit from compost and humus worked into the soil, this helps maintain moisture during dry spells and provides additional nutrients. Regular fertilisation is not necessary. Use a general purpose fertilizer in early spring or alternatively one that is high in Phosphorus is the perfect choice. Food with a high nitrogen content should be avoided as this will have a negative effect on the flowers. This should only be repeated once more after the flowers have died back
