Green Thumb Corner

Albert F. Holden Lilac, Syringa vulgaris 'Albert F. Holden', exhibits single, fragrant, deep violet blossoms which possess a silvery blush on the reverse of the petals giving them a bicolor effect. In late spring, when most other lilacs have finished flow

The Common White Lilac, Syringa Vulgaris, is well-known and loved by gardeners all over the world for its beauty and fragrance; one of the most powerful fragrances emitted by a plant. This deciduous shrub is used as a hedge or as an individual accent plant. It has white flowers occurring in clusters amid the dark-green heart-shaped leaves. This species of lilac, the white lilac, produces suckers - new shoots that sprout from the base of the shrub, or from the roots. In North American gardens, this is a very hardy shrub. Lilacs can withstand severely cold winters (even -35 degrees C) and in fact the species does not grow well in areas without significant frost in wintertime. Captivating fragrance, gorgeous flowers.

Dappled Dawn Lilac, Syringa vulgaris 'Dappled Dawn', has deep red-purple buds that open to fragrant, magenta blossoms. The leaves have an irregular yellow variegation, as if they were splashed with yellow. This variegated foliage is the unique feature of this lilac and adds summer color to the shrub border. This lilac is easily grown in average, medium moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Dappled Dawn Lilac tolerates light shade, but best bloom is in full sun. It prefers organically rich, slightly acidic soils with good drainage. It grows 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide which makes a very colorful border or screen.

Minuet Lilac, Syringa 'Minuet', is a light purple flower that buds open into single, fragrant, soft white-pink blooms. This compact, slow growing lilac has large, dark green leaves that fully clothe the branches. Minuet is a great dwarf plant with fragrant light purple blooms. It requires full sun for exceptionally profuse bloom production. Minuet adapts to many soil types, not invasive, and suckering is minimal. It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It tolerates light shade, but best bloom quality and disease resistance occur in full sun. It prefers rich, moist, neutral soils. It should be pruned as needed immediately after flowering. It grows 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide.

Mme. Lemoine Lilac, Syringa vulgaris 'Mme. Lemoine', is a French Hybrid Lilac that forms a wide spreading plant with double, fragrant, pure white flowers produced freely in May. It displays shiny, dark green summer foliage. It doesn't tend to sucker like most other lilacs. Ideal as a cut flower and a single cluster can scent an entire room! It is easily grown in average, medium moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Mme. Lemoine Lilac tolerates light shade, but best bloom is in full sun. It prefers organically rich, slightly acidic soils with good drainage. Once it is established, it only needs occasional watering. Being very showy and extremely fragrant, it makes a wonderful screen or border specimen. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds and grows 8-10 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It becomes drought resistant once established, and deer tend to ignore it.

Montaigne Lilac, Syringa vulgaris 'Montaigne', is an upright growing, French Hybrid Lilac with double, soft lilac-pink flowers in May. It displays an excellent, clean, dark green summer foliage. This strong, long lived, early flowering shrub prefers full sun, good drainage and air circulation. If one removes flowers as they fade, as well as older wood and suckers, it will improve the plants appearance and flower production. Montaigne can be used in many situations, including shrub borders, informal hedges and perennial borders. It is a good bloomer and grows 10-12 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. Being very showy and extremely fragrant, it makes a wonderful screen or border specimen.

Primrose Lilac, Syringa vulgaris 'Primrose', is a French Hybrid Lilac with cream colored, single blooms produced abundantly in May. The attractive dark green foliage fills this strong and long lived shrub, giving the homeowner a lifetime of satisfaction. The yellow color gets richer with age and more intense in cooler climates. This Primose Lilac is truly outstanding and you will stun your neighbors with its beautiful, rare yellow flowers! Primose Lilac prefers full sun, good drainage and air circulation. If one removes flowers as they fade, as well as older wood and suckers, it will improve the plants appearance and flower production. Primose Lilac can be used in many situations, including shrub borders, informal hedges and perennial borders. It has a rounded shape that grows 10-12 feet in height and width. Being very showy and extremely fragrant, it makes a wonderful screen or border specimen.

Sugar Plum Fairy® Lilac, Syringa 'Bailsugar' (PP15,588), is one of the Fairytale® Series. This upright, rounded plant has lovely pink flower buds that open to single, light-pink blossoms with a very pleasing lilac fragrance. Sugar Plum Fairy is an excellent choice for foundation plantings. It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It tolerates light shade, but best bloom quality and disease resistance occur in full sun. It prefers rich, moist, neutral soils. It should be pruned as needed immediately after flowering. This rounded shaped lilac forms a wonderful small tree, with rosy-lilac buds that are wonderfully fragrant. It grows 4-5 feet in height and width.

Thumbelina® Lilac, Syringa 'Baillina' (PP16,662), is a round shaped lilac that is part of our Fairytale® Series of dwarf lilacs. Multitudes of medium pink buds open to very light pink blossoms that are the most fragrant of any in the series. Thumbelina is suitable as an informal hedge or foundation plant. It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. This lilac tolerates light shade, but best bloom quality and disease resistance occur in full sun. It prefers rich, moist, neutral soils. It should be pruned as needed immediately after flowering. This rounded shaped lilac forms a wonderful small tree, with rosy-lilac buds that are wonderfully fragrant. It grows 5-6 feet in height and width.

Tinkerbelle® Lilac, Syringa 'Bailbelle' (PP12,294), is one of the Fairytale® Series and has an upright shape with incredible wine red flower buds. They open to single, bright pink blooms, with a spicy fragrance, in late spring. Tinkerbelle lilac is an excellent choice for foundation plantings or as a specimen. This lilac tolerates light shade, but best bloom quality and disease resistance occur in full sun. It prefers rich, moist, neutral soils. It should be pruned as needed immediately after flowering. This upright lilac forms a wonderful small tree, with rosy-lilac buds that are wonderfully fragrant. It grows 5-6 feet in height and 4-5 feet in width. It is a rounded, upright, non-suckering, deciduous shrub, and is perhaps best noted for its compact shape.

Wedgewood Blue Lilac, Syringa vulgaris 'Wedgewood Blue', is a unique lilac that has lilac-pink buds opening into very large, single true-blue blossoms in May. These flowers have a fine fragrance and are excellent for cutting. This medium sized, compact plant has dark green, disease resistant foliage. It grows 6 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. It prefers full sun, good drainage and air circulation. If one removes flowers as they fade, as well as older wood and suckers, it will improve the plants appearance and flower production. Wedgewood Blue Lilac can be used in many situations, including shrub borders, informal hedges and perennial borders. Being very showy and fragrant, it makes a wonderful screen or border specimen.

Lilac - President Lincoln, 'Syringa vulgaris 'President Lincoln', is a fast and large growing shrub. It has large heart-shaped leaves, and the flowers are orchid in bud opening to a gorgeous Wedgwood blue. The fragrance is captivating, truly calling atten