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It is difficult to find a person who would never enjoy the flowering of lilacs in his life. In large and small cities, in villages and in farms in the spring, these plants represent the final entry of spring into its own rights. Meyer’s lilac does not look quite traditional, as it is a miniature, even dwarf species. But this is also its advantage, since it is truly universal in application.
Detailed description of the species
Meyer’s lilac was discovered for the first time in China, but among cultivated plantations. In the wild, this type of lilac has not yet been discovered. Its main feature is its small size. The shrub reaches a maximum height of 1,5 m.
The article will present not only a description of the Meyer lilac, but also numerous photos that will help you get an idea of its appearance.
With a general comparative compactness of the crown shape in width, it can grow significantly and also reach 1,5 m. Therefore, the lilac of this species excellently serves both as a tapeworm on the lawn and in a row of hedges. But the shrub of this variety grows and develops very slowly, the annual growth can be only about 10 cm per year, and even less for some varieties.
Young branches of the shrub have a dark brown hue. With age, the color lightens slightly and becomes gray-brown. The bark of adult branches is covered with numerous microscopic cracks.
Quite small size opposite leaves have an elliptical shape with a wedge-shaped base. In length, they do not exceed 4-5 cm, in width – 2,5-3 cm. From above they have a rich green tint, and from below they are lighter. A slight pubescence can be seen along the edging of the two lower veins. The edges of the leaves have serrations.
Flowering of Meyer’s lilac begins approximately from the end of May to mid-June, simultaneously with late varieties of common lilac. The inflorescences look like erect panicles up to 10 cm long, which bloom from several of the uppermost buds at the ends of the shoots. The flowers are very small, funnel-shaped with a light rim along the underside of the corolla. The aroma is at times strong, pleasant and refined.
At the end of summer, when the heat subsides, the flowering of the Meyer lilac may well repeat, although not as abundant as in the spring. Flowers, depending on the variety, can be white, red, pink, purple and purple.
Unlike the common lilac? this species is able to bloom much earlier, literally in the second or third year of life. Incredibly, tiny bushes, about 30 cm high, may already be covered with buds.
Meyer’s lilac or Syringa Meyeri (as this species is called in Latin) is characterized by the fact that, unlike other varieties, it does not form root shoots at all. But it is able to give many shoots from the base of the bush, growing in breadth.
This species can be used as a row plant in a hedge, in a group of other flowering shrubs, and, of course, as a tapeworm.
In the description of Meyer’s lilac, one cannot fail to mention its features:
- amazing frost resistance – plants can withstand air temperature drops to -30 ° C;
- smoke and gas resistance, which allows planting such varieties in urban environments;
- heat resistance.
Popular Meyer Lilac Varieties
Breeders managed to get many different varieties of Meyer lilacs. And although the dwarf variety Palibin is considered the most popular, other varieties deserve no less attention.
Red Pixie (Red Pixie)
In the description of the Meyer Red Pixie lilac, one cannot fail to notice that, compared with other varieties, it differs in rather significant sizes, which can be clearly seen in the photo.
In height, the bushes can reach 170 cm. And the inflorescences that form on the shrubs are of a decent size, up to 12-16 cm. The inflorescences are characterized by a relatively rare red or bright purple hue of flowers for lilacs. True, over time, the color of the Meyer Red Pixie lilac flowers becomes lighter, more like pink, as in the photo.
In width, the bushes of this variety grow by 120 cm. They have oval leaves with a barely noticeable protruding tip, which have a glossy surface. The variety can be called remontant, since at the end of July and in August it is quite possible to expect a second wave of flowering from it. Flowers have a persistent pleasant aroma and will decorate any area.
Jose (Josee)
This is a hybrid variety, in the breeding of which three types of lilacs participated: Meyer, small-leaved and open. Both in height and width, the bushes reach 150 cm, so they look very impressive. The variety also belongs to the remontant. The first time it blooms traditionally at the end of May, when the entire bush is covered with lavender-pink inflorescences. If the level of illumination, as well as the moisture content of the soil, allows, then at the end of summer the Meyer Jose lilac will bloom for the second time. The intensity of re-blooming also depends on the timely removal of all wilted inflorescences.
This variety grows extremely slowly, so it is ideal for small borders and mixborders. Tubular flowers emit an unforgettable aroma, especially noticeable at night.
Tinkerbell
Another very attractive variety of Meyer lilac. It belongs to the most dwarf varieties, not exceeding 1-1,2 m in height. But in the horizontal plane, the bushes can spread 1,5 m.
Unblown buds that appear at the very end of spring have a bright cherry color. And after blooming, they become soft pink and very fragrant. With such an attractive appearance, the Meyer Tinkerbell lilac variety is not at all particularly demanding on growing conditions. It can tolerate poor soils, moderate watering, semi-shady location and other average conditions. Under favorable circumstances, it is also able to re-bloom in late summer.
Flowerfesta Pink (Flowerfesta Pink)
One of the representatives of the new series of lilac varieties Meyerflower Festa (flower festa), under the designation pink, which means “pink” in English. This series was launched literally in recent years. It has more abundant and longer flowering than other varieties. The flowering period begins in May and continues into June. Repeated flowering can last from July until the onset of the first frost.
Plants are distinguished by one of the most compact forms of bushes, reaching one meter in width and a maximum of 120 cm in height. This particular variety has flowers with a pink color. The length of the inflorescences is quite standard for this type of lilac – about 10 cm. But the inflorescences themselves are very lush and are formed on the bushes in large numbers.
Flowerfesta Purple (Flowerfesta Purple)
Another variety from the Flowerfest series, which has flowers of a lilac or purple hue.
Flowerfest White (Flowerfesta White)
Mayer’s lilac variety from the modern hybrid series described above with white flowers.
Bloomerang Purple
An interesting hybrid variety was obtained by crossing four varieties of lilac. The size of the bush is quite typical for the lilac of the described variety, both in width and in height reaching 150 cm.
The flowers have an attractive bright purple hue that may fade slightly over time. Like all other varieties, it is remontant. Moreover, if all drying out inflorescences are specially removed in time, then the second flowering in August may not be inferior in brightness and abundance to the first, which occurred in May-June.
A wonderful aroma complements the overall impression of flowering shrubs, which can last until the first frost.
Lillifee
This variety is characterized by very abundant flowering in May. The bushes reach a height of 120-130 cm, spread up to 150 cm wide. In the autumn, the foliage changes its green color to an attractive orange-red hue. Unopened buds are dark purple in color. While the flowers are distinguished by a beautiful lilac-purple color. The aroma from flowering is subtle and light.
Benefits of Growing Meyer’s Dwarf Lilac
It is not in vain that Meyer’s dwarf lilac attracts many flower growers. After all, with its compact bushes you can decorate even the smallest house adjoining area. They are quite suitable for planting in flowerpots or containers and even in balcony boxes. No wonder the people call it a balcony. And the Meyer lilac can be called a border plant, because due to its small height it may well serve to create green flowering borders.
Lilac bushes of this variety are able to bloom at a very young age, much earlier than traditional varieties, and this cannot but attract the owners of household plots.
But for large landscape areas of this lilac there is an application. It will perfectly fit into flower beds, mixboders, decorate large rockeries and hedges.
And the biggest advantage of this variety is its re-blooming in late summer. After all, the aroma of blooming lilacs in August can surprise anyone.
How Meyer’s Lilac Reproduces
Reproduction of Meyer’s lilac can be carried out in all standard ways:
- seeds;
- vaccinations;
- cuttings;
- layering.
The seed method is too laborious. In addition, most hybrid varieties with this method of reproduction will not retain their original properties.
Lilacs of this species are propagated by grafting in early spring or winter, when all the buds are dormant. You can graft cuttings on ordinary or Hungarian lilac, as well as on privet. The formation of plants in this case often occurs in the form of a standard tree.
This species is best propagated by cuttings during flowering. At the same time, an annual shoot is cut out from the middle of the bush and planted in a light mixture of sand and vermiculite.
Root layers of Meyer’s lilac are propagated, as a rule, in autumn, at a time when the intensity of sap flow in plants decreases.
Meyer’s siren planting rules
Most often, Mayer’s varietal lilacs are purchased at garden centers in containers with a closed root system. This ensures ease of disembarkation and guarantees its 100% survival rate.
For planting lilacs in a permanent place, the most favorable period is from mid-August to the first half of September. If the seedling was purchased in the spring, then it is better to dig it in a semi-shady place until the end of summer.
When choosing a place to plant a shrub, you should be guided solely by your aesthetic requirements. The bushes are very unpretentious and can take root almost anywhere in the site, but for a good and abundant flowering, it is advisable to choose a sunny place. Soils can be anything from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The only thing that not a single type of lilac can tolerate is stagnant waterlogging in the root zone. Therefore, when planting in lowlands or in swampy areas, a decent layer of drainage must be used.
The size of the hole should roughly correspond to the size of the root system of the seedling. If the soil is completely depleted, then it is advisable to add to the planting pit:
- 1 st. l. phosphate fertilizers;
- a bucket of compost or humus;
- a glass of wood ash.
The lilac seedling is pulled out of the container, if necessary, old and diseased roots are removed or cut to a living place. The plant is placed in a prepared hole and gradually covered with earth. After that, all shoots are cut into 2 buds.
The earth around the seedling is slightly compacted, spilled with plenty of water and covered with a layer of organic mulch about 6-7 cm thick.
Meyer lilac care
Meyer’s lilac is a heat-resistant and drought-resistant shrub, so caring for it will not cause much trouble. Bushes need a lot of water only during the flowering period. At other times, atmospheric moisture will be sufficient for plants. Of course, if the summer turned out to be especially hot and dry, then the bushes need additional watering to re-bloom in the fall. Also, freshly planted bushes need regular watering (1 time per month) before the onset of stable frosts.
When fertilizing during planting in the first two years, the lilac does not need additional feeding. Further, ammonium nitrate can be applied under the plants in the snow in early spring and watered with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers in August every two years.
Lilac bushes of this species have very small sizes and a superficial root system, which makes it easy to grow it in containers. But the same fact can be disastrous for the plant in the case of a frosty and snowless winter. Although the Meyer lilac has good winter hardiness, in the first years after planting it is advisable to cover the entire root zone abundantly with organic matter and in winter make sure that the bushes are covered with snow as much as possible.
Sanitary pruning of lilacs should be carried out throughout the season, removing dry, diseased or damaged branches. Anti-aging pruning is usually done in the fall, cutting out no more than 1-2 old shoots per year.
To give a beautiful shape to the bushes, you can slightly shorten the shoots in early spring before the buds awaken and immediately after flowering. Lilac responds well to pruning. But do not be too zealous with annual shoots, since flowering occurs mainly on them and on last year’s growths. And, of course, you cannot do without constant formative pruning when growing Meyer lilacs on a trunk.
Loosening the soil in the root zone and removing weeds must be done with great care due to the surface occurrence of the roots. It is better to cover the entire root zone with a plentiful layer of mulch, which will retain moisture, prevent weeds from germinating and provide additional nutrition.
Diseases and pests
Lilac of this species has good resistance to many diseases and pests. In conditions of too humid summer, it can be affected by powdery mildew, which is successfully combated by spraying with any fungicide.
When pests (bud mites, lilac leaf beetles, mining moths) are detected, lilacs are treated with insecticides.
Sometimes it is affected by viruses, which are useless to fight. It is only necessary to monitor the health of the planting material and provide the plant with complete care.
Conclusion
Meyer’s lilac is a very decorative, versatile and at the same time unpretentious shrub. It can be grown almost anywhere, and re-blooming in early autumn will surprise and delight with its unexpectedness.
Reviews
Reviews of Meyer’s lilac once again testify to the unpretentiousness and charm of this plant.
