Every year in May, the lilac bushes open their large flower spikes and delight the viewer with their splendor - which unfortunately only lasts for a very short time. However, with the right choice of variety, you can extend the flowering period over several months, even if the individual bush only shows its colorful fireworks for a few days.
When are lilacs blooming?
The flowering period of lilacs extends from April to July, depending on the variety. Syringa vulgaris, for example, blooms in May, hyacinth lilac in late April to early May, fragrant lilac in May to early June and pearl lilac from June to July.
When does which type of lilac bloom?
Noble lilac, arched lilac, Hungarian lilac, wild lilac or fragrant lilac - there are around 30 different types of lilac (and countless varieties) that, depending on the variety, show their blooms between April and July. With the right choice of variety and group planting, you can enjoy lilac flowers in your garden again and again over a period of several months.
- Syringa vulgaris: probably the most commonly planted species, its varieties bloom in May
- Hyacinth lilac (e.g. 'Snow White' and 'Rose Red'): early flowering period between the end of April and the beginning of May
- Scented lilac (e.g. the dwarf variety 'Tinklerbelle'): flowering period between May and early June
- Pearl lilac (Syringa swegiflexa): late-blooming variety, blooms between June and July
Basically it can be said that most lilacs bloom between May and June, only a few varieties bloom a little later.
What's the reason why the lilac doesn't want to bloom?
If the lilac doesn't want to bloom, there are several reasons:
- The bush was cut back incorrectly or too much.
- You didn't fertilize the lilac or didn't fertilize it enough.
- The plant is in a location that is too dark.
- The lilac is in unsuitable soil.
buddleia only blooms from July
You should under no circumstances confuse the lilac (Syringa), a group of plants from the olive family, and the buddleia or butterfly lilac (Buddleja), a group of flowering plants from the figwort family. The genera are not related to each other, even if the flower panicles look very similar externally. In addition, the buddleia blooms quite late in the season; you can admire its flowers between July and October.
Tip
The compact dwarf lilac 'Superba' (Syringa microphylla) even blooms twice a year: after the main bloom between May and June, a subsequent bloom occurs quite reliably between the end of August and the beginning of October.
