Lilac bushes, members of the genus Syringa, are popular deciduous shrubs known for their intense fragrance and clusters of spring flowers. These hardy plants offer a classic look in the landscape, often serving as hedges or focal points with their purple, white, pink, or blue blooms. Acquiring a healthy lilac requires knowing the best places to look and the specific plant characteristics to evaluate before making a purchase.
Retail and Online Purchase Options
Local independent nurseries are often the best source for high-quality shrubs, providing plants that are already acclimatized to your specific region’s climate. Staff at these locations typically possess expert horticultural knowledge and can offer tailored advice on the best varieties for your garden’s soil and light conditions.
Large chain garden centers offer a convenient alternative, especially for common lilac varieties like Syringa vulgaris, with the benefit of competitive pricing and immediate availability. However, the quality of plant material can vary, and the selection of unique or dwarf cultivars may be limited compared to specialty sources. Always inspect plants at these large retailers closely for signs of stress or poor health.
Specialty mail-order nurseries and online retailers provide the broadest selection, including rare colors, dwarf varieties, and the newest reblooming cultivars. These online sources frequently ship plants in a cost-effective bare-root format or in smaller containers, which often require careful handling and immediate planting upon arrival. When buying online, ensure the vendor provides a clear plant warranty and confirms the plant’s hardiness zone compatibility.
Essential Selection Criteria Before Buying
The most critical decision when purchasing a lilac involves selecting a variety that will thrive in your specific environment. You must first match the plant to your USDA hardiness zone, as most common lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) perform best in zones 3–7, requiring a cold winter period to set flower buds. For smaller yards or container growing, look for dwarf varieties like the Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’, which have a more compact mature size.
Consider the desired bloom characteristics, which involve color, fragrance intensity, and bloom time. Varieties are categorized as early, mid, or late-season bloomers, allowing you to stagger flowering if you plant multiple types. Some modern cultivars have been bred for reblooming, producing flowers in the spring and then intermittently again in the late summer or fall.
You will encounter two main plant formats: containerized and bare-root stock. Containerized plants, which are grown in soil, offer instant impact and are easier to plant, as the root system is already established and contained. Bare-root plants are dormant shrubs shipped without soil, making them cheaper and lighter to transport, but they must be planted immediately upon receipt, typically in the early spring. Regardless of the format, inspect the plant for health, ensuring that the roots are not circling tightly in the container and that the visible stems are free of broken branches or discolored lesions.
Optimal Timing for Purchase and Planting
The ideal time for planting lilacs is either the early spring or the early fall, as these periods offer mild temperatures that reduce stress on the plant. Spring planting is mandatory if you choose bare-root stock, which must be planted before they break dormancy.
Planting in early spring allows the lilac’s root system to develop during the cool, moist conditions before the onset of summer heat. Similarly, fall planting is highly beneficial, particularly in regions with milder winters, because the soil remains warm enough for root growth to continue even as the air temperature drops.
It is generally best to avoid purchasing and planting lilacs during the peak of summer, especially in extremely hot weather. High temperatures can cause significant transplant shock, making it difficult for the shrub to establish a strong root system while simultaneously dealing with heat and potential drought stress. Selecting a plant during the cooler seasons gives the lilac the best opportunity to settle in.