Dwarf Persian lilac

Lilac is a very common shrub in Our Country. However, not every gardener imagines what the Persian lilac looks like, where it grows and what are the features of this species.

Description of the Persian lilac

Variety Persian lilac (or “Persian”) belongs to the Maslinov family. In Our Country, culture is much more likely to be found in a botanical garden, and not in a summer cottage. Often it is confused with other varieties, in particular, Chinese, Hungarian or terry. Description and photo of Persian lilac (Syringa persica) will help to get a complete picture of this variety.

It was obtained in 1640 by crossing small-cut and Afghan lilacs. In nature, the “Persian” grows in Turkey, Iran, Japan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Crimea and the Caucasus – there is the most suitable climate for culture.

The shrub has a semi-oval shape. Its leaves resemble an elongated ellipse with a pointed end. The flowers of this variety are most often a beautiful pinkish-purple hue. Persian lilac inflorescences are lush egg-shaped panicles. They are evenly distributed throughout the bush and look stuffed, terry.

Flowering in this variety at the same time as that of the common lilac – in mid-May, and continues until mid-June.

The plant does not need a special composition of the soil, it withstands drought well, is quite winter-hardy, but does not occur in the wild. The whole difficulty lies in reproduction – it is very difficult to obtain seedlings of a variety. In addition, some gardeners believe that the decorative qualities of the “Persian” are inferior to common lilacs. For these reasons, it is not so common to meet Persian lilacs in the plots.

It should be noted that the height of an adult shrub reaches a maximum of 3 m. In addition, there is a variety whose height is 2 m (which is almost 1/3 less than common lilac) – this is a dwarf Persian lilac. Spreading, low bushes are often used by landscape designers to decorate plots – single “Persians” look beautiful in the garden, for example, as a hedge.

Persian pygmy lilac in the photo:

What is the difference between Persian lilac and ordinary

Thin, arched shoots of the culture are strewn with inflorescences – this is a distinctive feature of the variety. A bush in bloom looks like a big bouquet.

“Persian” blooms magnificently, but the size of the inflorescences is slightly more modest than most other varieties. In this species, they consist of flowers up to 2 cm in size, while the panicles are 10–12 cm long and 7 cm wide. Up to 7 pairs can be located on one branch, then the length of the inflorescence is approximately 30 cm. The color of the petals is also different: it is not the usual lilac, but light purple, white or white-lilac.

The maximum height of the Persian lilac is 3 m, while the ordinary one can reach 5-6 m. In addition, the described variety is better adapted to drought and cold. In early autumn, the Persian lilac, especially growing in the southern regions of Our Country, may bloom a second time.

To compare the two varieties, below is a photo of common lilac (Syringa vulgaris):

The best varieties of Persian lilac

It is practically impossible to propagate the Persian lilac variety under natural conditions, only specialists in the laboratory can do it. There are three varieties of it:

• Persian white lilac (Syringa persica Alba) – its stuffed and, at the same time, airy snow-white inflorescences exude a delicate, sweetish aroma;

  

• Persian dissected lilac (Syringa persica Laciniata) – not small openwork leaves and miniature light lilac flowers are located on thin twigs and hang down, the variety looks gentle, resembles a weeping birch;

  

• Persian red lilac (Syringa persica Nibra) – lilac-pink inflorescences, rather of a red hue, look very unusual and impressive in the garden, especially against the background of green leaves.

  

Features of reproduction

Reproduction is the weak point of the variety. Unfortunately, seeds do not appear in place of flowers, and when propagated by cuttings, the roots do not germinate well. Seedlings can only be obtained in laboratory conditions, by tissue engraftment. This is done in specialized nurseries and agricultural firms.

During delivery, the plant will remain intact – it will be protected by a light material that allows air to pass through, and the roots will be moistened with a nutrient medium.

Features of planting and care

The variety is quite undemanding and resistant to adverse factors, but when planting it is better to follow some rules so that the plant can please with its beautiful inflorescences as early as possible:

1. In the shade, a heat-loving shrub may stop blooming, it needs the sun.
2. In the lowlands, water collects on the site, which can cause the roots to die off.
3. Not suitable for areas where strong winds blow.
4. The shrub prefers neutral or moderately acidic fertile soil.
   Advice! If you know that the soil in the garden is too acidic, then you can fix this with lime.
5. In order for the plant to take root accurately, it must be planted in the time period in late July – early September. Experienced gardeners recommend choosing evening or cloudy weather.
6. Several bushes should be planted at a minimum distance of 1,5 m, but if the area of ​​u3buXNUMXbthe site allows, the optimal distance between them should be XNUMX m. The branches of the Persian lilac are very spreading, they need space.

Landing guidelines

Persian lilacs are planted in a 40-50 cm hole so that the entire root ball does not fit in. The size of the pit should be doubled if the site is sandstone, since this type of soil needs the addition of a fertile mixture of compost or humus (15 kg); wood ash (200 g) and superphosphate (20 g).

The plant must be placed in the center of the pit, covered with soil and slightly compacted. After that, the bush must be watered abundantly, add wood ash. Gardeners recommend mulching the root circle – covering it with a layer of humus or peat 5 cm thick.

The bush will take root well only if the roots of the seedling were healthy. Their optimal length should be about 20 cm. The rest should be cut off. The plant is quite tolerant of transplantation, moreover, experienced gardeners recommend changing the place of the shrub after a year and a half, when the growing lilac completely draws out nutrients.

Care instructions

1. A young shrub in the first two years must be generously and regularly watered – up to 25 – 30 liters. In the summer heat, the “Persian” needs water daily. In adult lilacs, the root system is developed, it is no longer watered, except for too hot periods.
2. It is important to remove all shoots and damaged branches.
3. Pruning will help form the crown, but it can be done no earlier than after 3 years. Do this in the spring, when the kidneys are still dormant. It is necessary to select approximately 10 branches located at the maximum distance from each other, and cut the rest.
4. At least three times per season, it is necessary to loosen the root circle and remove emerging weeds.
5. Feeding is very important. The first 2 – 3 years, the bush is fertilized with nitrogen in small doses, later 60 – 80 g of ammonium nitrate (wood ash) will be enough. Every 2-3 years it is also necessary to give potassium and phosphorus (double superphosphate; potassium nitrate).
6. During the flowering season, the bush is attacked by May beetles, they will have to be removed manually.
7. The bushes are prepared for wintering as follows – the surface of the earth in the root circle is covered with peat or dry leaves with a layer 10 cm thick.

Reviews of gardeners

Conclusion

Blooming Persian lilac will perfectly decorate a small and large garden. According to the reviews of gardeners, following simple rules for caring for a plant will help you enjoy the beauty of the lilac-purple “constellations” and the delicate aroma of the unpretentious Persian lilac shrub every year.