The royal lilac bears its name for a reason. Truly the king of lilacs for its beautiful appearance and delightfully fragrant flowers.
The royal lilac (Syringa chinensis) is one of the most popular ornamental trees because the dense, bushy shrub bears numerous flowers that grow in panicles in spring and early summer. They are red-purple in color and spread a wonderfully intense scent. The leaves of the royal lilac, on the other hand, are a beautiful dark green, oval and smooth. In autumn, capsule-shaped infructescences with winged seeds also form. This species of lilac, also called Chinese lilac, is a hybrid of Syringa vulgaris and Syringa persica.
- Family: Olive Family
- Genus: Lilac / Syringa
- Type: Royal Lilac
- Botanical name: Syringa chinensis Saugeana
Growth and growth behavior of royal lilacs
The royal lilac bush reaches a height and width of about four meters each. It grows between 20 and 35 centimeters per year. It is therefore ideal for a single position in the garden. But it also forms a windproof hedge if you plant several specimens next to each other. Combinations with other flowering shrubs are very beautiful, creating a colorful hedge. Suitable partners are, for example, Weigelie, Rosendeutzie and Brautspiere. Reading tip: Lilacs as a hedge - it blooms from May.
| Royal lilac (Syringa chinensis) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 10 - 20 cm a year |
| Growth: | 300 - 400 cm |
| Growth: | 300 - 400 cm |
| Root system: | Deep Roots |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | moderately dry, no waterlogging |
Location and soil conditions
The royal lilac is not sensitive to wind and loves a sunny and warm location. It also has a lot of leaves in the shade, but it doesn't bloom very well there. The soil should be nutrient-rich and permeable to prevent waterlogging. A loamy-sandy soil with a calcareous impact is favourable.But the royal lilac also gets along well with slightly acidic conditions.
Important care measures
Casting:
The robust shrub requires little care. The best planting time is in autumn, because then the royal lilac is well established until next spring. After planting, it must be supplied with plenty of water in the first few weeks. After that only if it is very warm and dry for days.
Fertilize:
All types of lilac are heavy feeders and grateful for organic fertilizer or compost in spring. After flowering, you can fertilize again slightly. At this point, you should also remove the faded inflorescences right at the base.
cut:
A topiary is not necessary. All you have to do is cut out dead branches generously. With older, woody lilac bushes, you can rejuvenate them in autumn by radically cutting back the main branches. However, the royal lilac does not bloom the next year. Only the following year does the shrub show its flowers again.
Hiberation:
The royal lilac is hardy. It therefore does not require any special frost protection.
Control of diseases and pests
Hallemash Mushroom:
The royal lilac is resistant to most diseases and pests. However, if the royal lilac grows less well or even dies and if mushroom fruiting bodies can also be found, then this indicates an infestation with the honey fungus. The affected shrub must then be removed along with the roots.
Leaf Miner:
When the leaves change color and reveal tiny tunnels, leaf miners are at work. These are tiny larvae of a type of fly that eat almost invisible tunnels in leaves. You must then remove and burn the affected foliage.
Thrips:
White spots on leaves and flowers may indicate thrips infestation. The best way to repel insects is with good ventilation and regular watering. If these measures do not help, you can also use predatory mites.