Lilac hedge: photo, varieties

A lilac hedge is one of the common multifunctional techniques in landscape design. The plant is used for protection and territory marking. Group landing in a line gives the site an aesthetic, complete look. The culture grows rapidly, takes root well in a new place, tolerates pruning. High frost resistance and availability of planting material makes it attractive for growing in the climate.

Benefits of growing lilacs as a hedge

Common lilac is represented by a variety of varieties and hybrids. The availability of planting material allows you to create a lilac hedge on the site with your own hands, for this you do not have to be a professional designer. Therefore, most suburban areas are framed by lilac bushes. A hedge, depending on the design, can be created of impressive size from tall varieties or a small one that separates garden zones using dwarf shrubs.

Advantages sirens:

1. Culture safely tolerates winter cold and summer heat.
2. The trunk and branches are flexible, safely withstand strong gusts of wind, do not break.
3. Lilacs are practically not affected by pests and diseases.
4. The lilac hedge retains its decorative effect until late autumn. The color of the leaves does not change, only fades, the leaves fall off green.
5. Flowering is plentiful, long-lasting, a hedge can be grown multi-level from lilac varieties with different flowering periods and bush sizes.
6. All representatives of the culture give a good annual growth, after 3-5 years they begin to bloom. Intensively form basal shoots, quickly filling the free space.
7. Lilac is undemanding to the composition of the soil and subsequent care after planting. It hibernates without additional shelter, the survival rate in a new place is high.
8. It lends itself well to pruning, does not create problems with reproduction. Hybrid forms can be quickly propagated by layering.
9. Lilac has an exquisite aroma.

What varieties of lilacs are suitable for creating hedges

When choosing a lilac variety for a hedge, take into account what role it plays. For the protective function, tall varieties are chosen. As a rule, this is an ordinary lilac, a fairly hardy plant, undemanding, with a good annual growth. Common lilac is represented by several varieties with similar agricultural practices.

For hedges, varieties with a lush, dense crown, large inflorescences and flowers are chosen.

For a decorative option with a zone separation function, a hedge is planted from breeding varieties. The material is sometimes quite expensive, agricultural technology is more complex. Hybrids are selected according to climatic conditions. Consider drought resistance and winter hardiness. Preference is given to the wide form of the bush, rather than elongated. The photo shows a variant of a lilac hedge in landscape design.

The main direction when choosing a plant is the decorative habit. According to the color of the inflorescences, lilac is divided into 5 groups, which include the varieties presented below.

White

Group 1 includes lilac varieties with white flowers. Several popular varieties for hedges. “Madame Abel Shaten” – a tall shrub, used to form a high hedge. Culture with an average term and duration of flowering. Flowering begins in mid-May and lasts 21 days. The flowers are bright white, double, collected in large panicles with a drooping top, reaching 25 cm in length. The bush is densely leafy, bright green, the shape is round, the branches are erect. Has a strong aroma.

“Beauty of Moscow” grows up to 4 m, the volume of the crown is 3 m. The parameters are taken into account when planting a hedge. Refers to the average flowering period. Terry large flowers are formed on a long inflorescence, they have a white color with a slight pink tint. The crop is planted in an open area, because the variety does not tolerate shade. Frost resistance is high.

“Vestal” is the most common variety in Our Country. This is a tall shrub with an average flowering period. Forms flowers of gentle pure-white color, the average size. Inflorescence pyramidal, long. Flowering is abundant, the aroma is clearly pronounced. The crown is rounded, dense, about 2,5 m in volume. Lilac grows up to 3 m. Does not lose its decorative effect in the shade.

Pink

Group 2 includes varieties with pink flowers. Popular for growing hedges are varieties with high frost resistance and unpretentious care. These include the lilac “Catherine Haveier”. The shrub reaches 5,5 m in height, belongs to the tall ones. Variety with an average flowering period. Panicles are small – 13-15 cm dense. Flowers are medium sized, light pink. The crown is round and dense. The culture is frost-resistant, tolerates penumbra well. Does not grow in wetlands.

For hedges, a hybrid dwarf lilac variety “Meyera Palibin” is used. The growth of a low-growing plant is slow, it does not grow in height above 1,2 m. The crown is spherical, densely leafy, completely covered with small panicles. Belongs to an early variety. It differs in the duration of flowering. The buds are purple, after opening the flowers are light pink. A drought-resistant variety that tolerates a lack of moisture in summer and low temperatures in winter.

“Velikaya Pobeda” is a widely growing bush, of medium size (up to 2 m), the crown volume is about 2 m. A feature of the plant is long inflorescences (up to 35-40 cm), dense, heavy, drooping. The flowers are large, dark pink, semi-double. By the end of flowering, they lighten up to a pale pink color. An unpretentious plant is widely used to form a hedge in a temperate climate zone.

Blue

The third (blue) group includes lilac “Ami Schott” – a tall shrub reaching 3 m in height, with a dense crown and large leaves. The flowers are light blue, double. The inflorescences are very dense, up to 30 cm long. Lilac blooms in mid-May. The duration of flowering is 28 days. Lilac is included in the top 10 varieties. The culture is undemanding to watering and lighting, frost-resistant, is considered the best option for hedges.

“President Grévy” is a French breeding variety. A plant of average growth with early and long term of blossoming. Has a delicate aroma. The buds are pink, after blooming they become blue with a slight pink tint. The flowers are large, double. The inflorescences are dense, up to 20 cm long. The culture does not lose its decorative effect in the shade, it is frost-resistant, and tolerates drought well.

“Dresden China” is a tall shrub (up to 3,5 m) with a crown of medium density. The flowers are small, semi-double, blue. Inflorescences consist of three spherical panicles. The plant blooms at the end of May.

The culture does not tolerate waterlogged soil. At high humidity, the flowers become rusty and fall off. Doesn’t grow well in shade. This lilac belongs to the most frost-resistant varieties.

purple

The most common group 4. Includes over 50 varieties. Almost all varieties are used for hedges. The most popular of them is ” Song” – a tall plant, reaching 3 m in height. The crown is spherical with large dark green leaves. The inflorescences are pyramidal with a lowered top and a dense arrangement of large semi-double flowers of dark purple color. Lilac grows in the shade and in the sun, does not respond to drought and high humidity, it is not afraid of frost. Flowering time – from the second half of May to mid-June.

“Memory of Vekhov” refers to early varieties, shrub of medium height (no more than 2 m). Flowering is plentiful, the flowers are densely double, large, dark purple. The color does not change from the beginning of budding until the end of flowering. The inflorescences are long – 25-30 cm. Lilacs with a highly decorative habit are ideal for hedges. 

“Taras Bulba” is a tall plant with convex leaves of a light green hue. The flowers are double, rather large, bright purple. Panicles lush, heavy. Lilac late, with long flowering, one of the few varieties that require summer top dressing. Frost resistance is high, drought does not affect the vegetation, planted only in an open area.

Purple

Purple lilac of the fifth (least common) group consists mainly of hybrid and breeding varieties. The hybrids include “Mood indigo” – an elite representative of the culture. Bush upright – up to 2 m, with an early flowering period. Inflorescences are dense, long (30 cm), narrow pyramidal. Abundant flowering, dark purple flowers with a purple frame around the edge. One of the exotic hedge options. Frost resistance is average, warming of the roots for the winter is required. Does not respond to waterlogging of the soil, does not grow on acidic soils. Shade tolerance is low.

“Cosmos” is a breeding variety that was created specifically for landscaping the urban landscape. Ideal for tall hedges. The bush reaches a height of 6 m, sprawling, intensely leafy. The inflorescences are dense, up to 25 cm long. The flowers are large, purple, with a blue tint along the edge. Culture well resists wind, drought, frost. Virtually no maintenance required.

“Royal Ash” refers to the hyacinth variety of lilac. A selective Canadian species forms buds in mid-April, and begins to bloom by the end of the month. A bush of medium height – up to 2 m, with a spherical crown of the correct shape. Foliage is average. Upright, branched. Inflorescences are long (up to 25 cm), narrow pyramidal. The flowers are large with sharp petals at the ends, dark purple in the morning and evening, purple in the afternoon in sunny weather. The aroma is strong, tart. It tolerates frosts down to -40 0C, rainy weather does not affect the decorative effect, drought resistance is average.

Combination of lilacs of different varieties

Lilac varieties in mass planting are well grouped, complementing each other. Plant selection is carried out according to several parameters:

1. First of all, the color and structure of the flower. You can play on the contrast of white and purple with terry and simple inflorescences. A combination of pink and blue looks decorative. Shades of the same color will not stand out in the fit. A lilac hedge can be planted in ascending color. In the middle, white on both sides is pink, the next blue, will complete the color scheme magenta.
2. When planting, the shape of the bush is taken into account: vertically growing do not combine with spreading in width. Spreading shrubs will close the vertical ones. Tall ones do not combine in hedges with dwarf ones for the same reason.
3. The timing of flowering in many varieties is different. To extend the flowering time in hedges, early lilacs are used in combination with medium and late.

In this case, it is necessary to select varieties with the same frost resistance and agricultural technology.

Rules for planting a lilac hedge

Lilacs are planted in temperate climates in spring before bud formation, autumn planting is suitable for the south. Lilac planted in spring will take root completely by winter. A seedling is taken at the age of two with a strong root and viable buds.

To determine the required number of seedlings, the hedge area is measured, you can draw a diagram where the seedlings are staggered. The distance for compact varieties is 1,5 m, for tall ones with a spreading crown – at least 3 m. A dense planting for lilacs is undesirable, the plants will drown out each other and grow to the sides. The appearance of the hedge will change for the worse.

The site is chosen open so that the nearby large trees do not obscure the lilac, otherwise the growth and flowering of the shrubs will be inferior. It is not recommended to place dwarf species near the lilac hedge, in this case the vegetation of low plants will be inhibited.

The composition of the soil for lilacs does not matter much, but the soil must be light, drained, fertile.

The recommended size of the landing pit is 60 * 60 cm, depth 70 cm. They are dug out 7 days before the lilacs are placed on the site, drainage is placed at the bottom. On the day of planting, a soil mixture is prepared from humus, sand and soil (in equal parts). For every 8 kg of the mixture, 30 g of superphosphate, 500 g of ash are added. The soil prepared for each seedling is divided into two parts.

Landing sequence:

1. One part of the soil mixture is poured onto the drainage, a small cone-shaped hill is made in the center.
2. A seedling is placed on a hill, evenly distributing the roots over the ground.
3. Fall asleep with the second part of the fertile mixture.
4. Tamped, watered, mulched with peat.

After planting, the branches are shortened (up to 15 cm). If a lilac hedge is planted along a garden path, the width of an adult bush is taken into account, since the lilac grows and makes it difficult to pass.

Features of caring for a lilac hedge

Growing a lilac hedge is not difficult. Only young seedlings for the first 2 years of vegetation require the intervention of a gardener; an adult plant does not need special care. Water the plant immediately after planting. In order to prevent the soil from drying out and its waterlogging, they are guided by the frequency of seasonal precipitation. Adult shrubs are watered before flowering, if necessary, moisten again in mid-July. Loosen the soil and remove weeds as needed.

If top dressing is applied during planting, the supply of useful trace elements of lilac will last for 3 years. Starting from the 4th year of vegetation, organic matter is introduced in the spring. Fertilize with mineral fertilizers once every 1 years. Mulch after placing young shrubs on the site with a layer of straw or peat.

How to properly trim a hedge

Many types of lilacs are suitable for unformed hedges. Pruning is sanitary in nature. In the spring, before sap flow, the root shoots are cut, 2-3 old branches are removed, rejuvenating the shrub. After flowering, flower stalks are cut off.

If pruning is functional, it is carried out to form a hedge shape, the optimal time is early spring and the period when the lilac has faded. Molding begins only after three years of vegetation. I remove bent branches and shoots that protrude beyond certain boundaries. Dwarf varieties cut off the top horizontally.

Preparing the shrub for winter

Lilac does not require special preparation for the winter period. All varieties of the plant are frost-resistant, tolerate temperatures down to -38 0C. In case of freezing of the root system, an adult plant forms a replacement. Young shrubs up to 3 years old are not so frost-resistant, so low temperatures can lead to the death of the seedling. The crown does not require shelter, the root circle is mulched with straw or peat, the layer should be at least 15 cm. An adult plant with insufficient seasonal precipitation is watered.

Conclusion

A lilac hedge is an element of a design technique. Due to the variety of varieties with different flower colors and bush shapes, lilac blends harmoniously with any composition in the garden. At the summer cottage, a hedge will decorate the landscape, protect the site from the penetration of animals and unwanted “guests”. The culture is frost-resistant, grown in regions with a cold climate. The ability to do without watering for a long time is relevant in the South.