Last Updated on January 20, 2022 by
How long do lilacs bloom is a question that cannot be answered wholesomely, rather answered according to different types of lilac around us?
There are many reasons why people love lilacs. They produce a beautiful bloom that has a sweet fragrance and attracts butterflies. Lilacs need a strong structure of branches and foliage to support the hard work of blooming. That’s why they take time to grow and mature before they can produce their beautiful flowers. They grow in hardiness zones 3-7 although some can still bloom in zone 8.
To determine how lilacs bloom and when their flowers will be at their peak, you must first know which type of lilac grows in your area.
The Juvenile Stage of Lilacs
Lilacs go through a stage known as the Juvenile stage that happens after germination. In this stage, they are not able to flower. They only grow branches and leaves to necessitate flowering later on.
Juvenile stage length varies by species. All lilacs whether grown from seed or cutting must first go through this stage.
Learn How to Grow Lilacs from Cuttings
What Determines How Long the Lilacs Bloom?
The age of your lilac plant plays a big role in how many times it will bloom. Young lilacs require more time to establish their roots. So, lilac trees less than 3 years old will not produce flowers. Some bushes may take 4-5 years to mature enough to bloom.
During spring most lilacs only bloom for a short period. Long-lasting varieties of lilacs can re-bloom again thus earning their name re-blooming lilacs. This type can bloom for about 6 weeks throughout spring and summer.
When and How Long Do Lilacs Bloom – Different Varieties
- Early – Spring Lilacs. Early lilac bloomers include the common lilac (syringa vulgaris) that blooms during spring that happens in May. This depends on how high the spring temperatures rise. Hybrid varieties like hybrid hyacinth lilac (syringa x hyacinthiflora) tend to bloom earlier than the common lilac. They can start blooming as early as 10 days. Their bloom also lasts several weeks more than the common lilac. Betsy Ross (Syringa x oblate) and Early lilac (Syringa oblate) also bloom in spring.
- Late – Spring Lilacs. A late-blooming lilac starts blooming almost towards the end of spring, and its bloom lasts for a month. This type develops buds for next year’s blooms right after the blooming ends. Be careful with this lilac during pruning, you might just be removing the fresh buds that will bloom next. Pruning during summer inhibits blooming the next season.
Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Flowering Trees and Shrubs Continuous Release Plant Food
Should you want to prune these lilac bushes, do so immediately after blooming. This eliminates the issues of accidentally removing the buds that will bloom next year. Late-spring lilac types include Sunday Chinese lilac (Syringa x chinesis) Miss Kim lilac (Syringa patula) which blooms beautiful lavender and blue blossoms.
- Summer and Re-blooming Lilacs. Long-lasting lilacs can bloom during the hotter months of the year with many flowers. This type includes late lilac (Syringa villosa) that blooms later than other varieties and produces fragrant white, rosy lilac, pink, violet, and red blooms.
It blooms once in summer and thrives in full sunlight. If you want continuous blooming, go for a re-blooming lilac. They bloom once in the spring, takes a rest, and then bloom again in mid-summer. Some varieties that re-bloom include Bloomerang dark purple that will continue to bloom into the fall after the spring rest. Warmer areas attract Josee Re-blooming Lilac (Syringa Josee) that periodically blooms throughout summer into the fall.
Basic Knowledge About Lilacs
Here are some facts about lilacs.
- Lilac thrives in cold weather
- Lilacs thrive in cold weather – the common lilac this in the Northern states and colder climates.
- Lilacs love the full sun – All lilac bushes do best in an area that receives full sun for about 6-8 hours each day.
- They do well in well-drained soils – they must have a neutral to slightly alkaline pH level.
- This plant can grow up to 5-15 feet tall
- It is a low maintenance plant once the roots are established
- Lilacs are deer resistant
- They are not prone to too many pests except snails and slugs
- They can be easily propagated from offshoot suckers that spring from the bushes rooting system.
Also, check out this article about How to Trim a Lilac Bush
Lilacs Season
As we have learned, how long do lilacs bloom solely depends on the type. We cannot classify all the lilacs in one group and think they bloom in one season. Learn the different types and choose what to grow on your farm. You will enjoy the beautiful blooms when it’s time. And you just never know you might enjoy the blooms more than once if you choose the re-blooming type. Enjoy growing your lilac!
FAQs
How long are lilacs in bloom for?
Normally, they're in bloom from early April through the first week of May. The blooms can last for a couple of weeks or longer. They're usually at their best in early spring and late summer. If you're looking to buy a new lilac plant for your garden, you'll need to decide what type you want. Lilacs come in many different varieties with a wide variety of colors and shapes.
You'll also need to consider how much space you have available. There are two basic types of lilacs: spring-flowering and fall-flowering. Spring-flowering types are usually smaller shrubs, while fall-flowering varieties tend to be larger shrubs. They bloom about three weeks earlier than spring-flowering varieties. Both types come in a range of colors from white to yellow, red, pink, and purple.
The most popular lilac is the hybrid, 'Alba', which has pink flowers. It's one of the easiest lilacs to grow, and it doesn't require much care.
How do you keep lilacs blooming all summer?
Lilacs will bloom almost all year round if given enough heat.
I have a few different methods that I use depending on what type of flowers I want to grow. The most important thing is to water regularly during the summer. If you don't have access to a hose, you can put a bucket in the yard and fill it up with water every day or two. Also, you need to fertilize with a fertilizer that contains nitrogen.
Do lilacs bloom twice?
Lilacs are usually planted in spring and fall. The bulbs germinate in spring, and the new plants grow and flower in summer and fall. A few plants may bloom throughout the year, but most of them will bloom only once.
How long does it take a lilac bush to bloom?
It is not possible to give you an exact answer, as there are a lot of variables involved. If you are interested in the average time for the plant to bloom (as opposed to the age of the plant), I would look at the species you have and see what others in your area have done.
How do I get more flowers on my lilac bush?
If your lilac bush is in a sunny area and receives plenty of water, you can expect to see more blooms than you did last year. However, if your lilac bush is in a shady area or has received less water than usual, the plants may not bloom as much. When the lilacs bloom, it is a good idea to remove any dead flowers and cut back the foliage.
Caroline is a gardener who loves to get down to the nitty–gritty of gardening. She proudly proclaims herself as a ‘dirt worshipper‘ and can often be found deep in the garden, covered in soil and singing to her plants. As a self–proclaimed ‘plant whisperer‘, Caroline believes that plants need love and attention just like any other living thing, and she loves to give them both. When she‘s not tending to her garden, you can often find her researching the latest gardening trends, or teaching others how to make their gardens thrive
