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Lilac is a very common shrub in Russia. However, not every gardener knows what Persian lilac looks like, where it grows and what the characteristics of this species are.
Description of Persian lilac
The variety Persian lilac (or “Persian”) belongs to the Olive family. In Russia, culture can be found much more often in a botanical garden, rather than in a summer cottage. It is often confused with other varieties, in particular Chinese, Hungarian or terry. A description and photo of Persian lilac (Syringa persica) will help you get a complete picture of this variety.
It was obtained in 1640 by crossing small-cut and Afghan lilacs. In nature, “Persian” grows in Turkey, Iran, Japan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Crimea and the Caucasus - there is the most suitable climate for the culture.
The shrub has a semi-oval shape. Its leaves resemble an elongated ellipse with a pointed end. The flowers of this variety are most often a beautiful pinkish-purple hue. The inflorescences of Persian lilac are lush egg-shaped panicles. They are distributed evenly throughout the bush and look stuffed and terry.
This variety blooms at the same time as the common lilac - in mid-May, and continues until mid-June.
The plant does not need a special soil composition, it withstands drought well, is quite winter-hardy, but is not found in the wild. The whole difficulty lies in propagation - seedlings of the variety are very difficult to obtain. In addition, some gardeners believe that the decorative qualities of the “Persian” are inferior to the common lilac. For these reasons, it is not so common to find Persian lilac in the gardens.
It should be noted that the height of an adult shrub reaches a maximum of 3 m. In addition, there is a variety whose height is 2 m (which is almost 1/3 less than the common lilac) - this is the dwarf Persian lilac. Spreading, low bushes are often used by landscape designers to decorate plots - single “Persians” look beautiful in the garden, for example, as a hedge.
Persian dwarf lilac in the photo:
What is the difference between Persian lilac and ordinary lilac?
Thin, arched shoots of the crop are strewn with inflorescences - this is a distinctive feature of the variety. The bush in bloom looks like a large bouquet.
"Persian" blooms magnificently, but the size of the inflorescences is slightly more modest than most other varieties. In this species, they consist of flowers up to 2 cm in size, while the length of the panicles reaches 10 - 12 cm, and the width is 7 cm. There can be up to 7 pairs on one branch, then the length of the inflorescence is approximately 30 cm. The color of the petals is also different: it is not the usual lilac, but light purple, white or white-lilac.
The maximum height of the Persian lilac is 3 m, while the ordinary one can reach 5-6 m. In addition, the described variety is better adapted to drought and cold.At the beginning of autumn, Persian lilac, especially those growing in the southern regions of Russia, may bloom a second time.
To compare the two varieties, below is a photo of common lilac (Syringa vulgaris):
The best varieties of Persian lilac
It is almost impossible to propagate the Persian lilac variety under natural conditions; only specialists in the laboratory can do this. Three varieties have been developed:
- White Persian lilac (Syringa persica Alba) – its dense and, at the same time, airy snow-white inflorescences exude a delicate, sweetish aroma;
- Persian lilac (Syringa persica Laciniata) – has small openwork leaves and miniature light lilac flowers located on thin branches and hanging down, the variety looks delicate, reminiscent of a weeping birch;
- Red Persian lilac (Syringa persica Nibra) - lilac-pink inflorescences, rather of a red hue, look very unusual and impressive in the garden, especially against the backdrop of green leaves.
Features of reproduction
Reproduction is the weak point of the variety. Unfortunately, seeds do not appear in place of flowers, and when propagated by cuttings, the roots do not germinate well. Seedlings can only be obtained in laboratory conditions, by tissue engraftment. This is done in specialized nurseries and agricultural firms.
During delivery, the plant will remain intact - it will be protected by lightweight material that allows air to pass through, and the roots will be moistened with the nutrient medium.
Features of planting and care
The variety is quite undemanding and resistant to unfavorable factors, but when planting it is better to adhere to some rules so that the plant can please you with its beautiful inflorescences as early as possible:
- In the shade, a heat-loving shrub may stop blooming; it needs sun.
- In the lowlands, water collects in the area, which can cause the roots to die.
- Areas with strong winds are not suitable.
- The shrub prefers neutral or moderately acidic fertile soil.Advice! If you know that the soil in your garden plot is too acidic, you can correct this with the help of lime.
- In order for the plant to take root, it needs to be planted in the period of late July - early September. Experienced gardeners recommend choosing evening or cloudy weather.
- Several bushes should be planted at a minimum distance of 1.5 m, but if the area of the site allows, the optimal distance between them should be 3 m. The branches of Persian lilac are very spreading, they need space.
Recommendations for planting
Persian lilac is planted in a hole 40 - 50 cm so that the entire root ball does not fit in it. The size of the pit should be doubled if the site is sandstone, since this type of soil requires the addition of a fertile mixture of compost or humus (15 kg); wood ash (200 g) and superphosphate (20 g).
The plant must be placed in the center of the hole, covered with soil and lightly compacted. After this, be sure to water the bush generously and add wood ash. Gardeners recommend mulching the root circle - covering it with a layer of humus or peat 5 cm thick.
The bush will take root well only if the roots of the seedling were healthy. Their optimal length should be about 20 cm. The rest should be trimmed.The plant is quite tolerant of replanting; moreover, experienced gardeners recommend changing the location of the bush after a year and a half, when the growing lilac has completely drawn out the nutrients.
Care instructions
- In the first two years, a young shrub must be watered generously and regularly - up to 25 - 30 liters. In the summer heat, the “Persian” needs water every day. In adult lilacs, the root system is developed; it is no longer watered, except during very hot periods.
- It is important to remove all growth and damaged branches.
- Pruning will help to form the crown, but it can be done no earlier than after 3 years. This is done in the spring, when the buds are still dormant. It is necessary to select approximately 10 branches located at the maximum distance from each other, and trim the rest.
- At least three times a season it is necessary to loosen the root circle and remove emerging weeds.
- Feeding is very important. For the first 2–3 years, the bush is fertilized with nitrogen in small doses; later, 60–80 g of ammonium nitrate (wood ash) will be sufficient. Once every 2 - 3 years it is also necessary to give potassium and phosphorus (double superphosphate; potassium nitrate).
- During the flowering season, the bush is attacked by cockchafers; they will have to be removed manually.
- The bushes are prepared for wintering in the following way: the surface of the earth in the root circle is covered with peat or dry leaves with a layer 10 cm thick.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Blooming Persian lilac will perfectly decorate a small or large garden. According to reviews from gardeners, following simple plant care rules will help you enjoy the beauty of lilac-lilac “constellations” and the delicate aroma of the unpretentious Persian lilac shrub every year.
