Lilacs (Syringa species) are highly cherished deciduous shrubs known for their conical clusters of intensely fragrant flowers that typically appear in late spring. Their popularity in temperate gardens is due to their hardiness and relatively simple care requirements, making them a fixture in many landscapes. Finding the perfect lilac to establish in your own yard involves understanding the various procurement channels available. This guide explores the most effective ways to acquire new lilac plants, from established retail locations to propagation techniques.
Local Retailers and Garden Centers
Acquiring a lilac from a physical retail location offers the advantage of immediate planting and visual inspection of the plant’s health. General garden centers, large chain hardware stores, and local nurseries are the most common sources for these popular shrubs. Lilacs are most readily available for purchase in late winter or early spring, which coincides with the optimal planting time when they are dormant or just beginning to break dormancy.
The selection at these local outlets often focuses on hardy, common Syringa vulgaris varieties, such as ‘Sensation’ or ‘Charles Joly,’ chosen for their reliability and ease of mass production. Independent nurseries may offer a slightly more diverse selection but still favor proven, locally adapted varieties. Shopping locally allows buyers to directly assess the condition of the root flare, inspect for signs of disease or pests, and ensure the stem structure is robust before purchase.
Mail-Order and Specialized Online Sources
Online shopping offers a vast expansion of available Syringa cultivars beyond the limited stock found in local retail settings. Specialized mail-order nurseries often stock rare French hybrids, reblooming types like the ‘Bloomerang’ series, and distinct species such as the dwarf Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ variety. This method is preferred when seeking a specific color, mature size, or bloom time that is not readily available locally.
Plants are typically shipped as containerized plants or bare-root stock. Containerized lilacs arrive in soil and are ready to plant. Bare-root lilacs are dormant, lighter to ship, and must be planted immediately upon arrival, usually in early spring. Bare-root options are often more economical but require careful handling to prevent the delicate root hairs from drying out before they can establish.
It is helpful to verify the seller’s reputation and confirm the lilac’s specific USDA hardiness zone compatibility before ordering any plant online. Reputable online sources provide detailed information on the mature size and the chilling hours required for the plant to successfully set flower buds. Checking customer reviews regarding shipping quality and plant health can help ensure a successful transaction and a healthy arrival of the new specimen.
Growing New Plants from Existing Lilacs
Acquiring a lilac through propagation from an existing plant is an excellent way to obtain a specific, often sentimental, cultivar without cost. Lilacs naturally produce new shoots, known as suckers, from the base of the main plant or its root system. These suckers are genetically identical to the parent plant and can be carefully dug up and severed from the main root structure to create a new, separate plant.
The optimal time to remove these root suckers is during the dormant season, either late fall or very early spring. Ensure a piece of the parent root is attached to the new plant. Transplanting these divisions immediately into a prepared site gives them the best chance of establishing an independent root system. This division method is the simplest and most successful form of vegetative propagation for the common Syringa vulgaris species.
Another common propagation method is taking softwood cuttings, which requires more technique and attention to environmental conditions. Softwood cuttings are taken from the new, flexible growth of the current season, typically in late spring or early summer before the wood hardens. These cuttings must be treated with a rooting hormone and placed in a sterile, humid environment to encourage root formation. This technique allows for the creation of numerous new plants but demands more patience than simply transplanting established suckers.