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Rochester lilac is a cultivar of American selection, created in the 60s of the 20th century. The culture was included in the 10 best selection varieties of the international collection and earned the highest marks for decorativeness. This is an original, unique variety that has no analogues. Based on the Rochester lilac, several hybrids with radial multi-petaling were created, differing in the color of the inflorescences.
Description of lilac Rochester
Lilac of the Rochester variety is a perennial deciduous plant, one of the elite varieties with a high degree of decorativeness. A culture for landscape design was created. Frost resistance of lilac allows it to be grown in all climatic zones of Russia. The Rochester variety resists temperatures down to -40 0C without loss. The growing season is not affected by moisture deficiency. It tolerates a season with minimal precipitation much better than high air humidity.
The exotic appearance and ease of care of Rochester lilacs have found application in the design of personal gardens and summer cottages. In the garden, lilac occupies a leading position in terms of decorative habit.The plant is used in mass planting to form a hedge. The shrub looks colorful as a tapeworm and as part of a composition with flowering and coniferous plants.
The Rochester lilac variety has a medium flowering period. The plant produces insignificant annual growth; at the age of 6 years it is considered an adult. During this period, the shrub grows up to 2 m. It forms a spherical crown of the correct shape. The main direction of growth is in width. The diameter of an adult plant is 3.5 m. The bush of the variety is dense, densely leafy, branched.
Description of the Rochester lilac shown in the photo:
- Multi-stemmed bush, perennial stems of medium thickness with a gray rough surface. Flexible, durable, resistant to strong winds. Young shoots are thin, olive-colored, and after a year they acquire the color of the main trunks.
- At the tops of perennial shoots, 2 inflorescences of large flower buds are formed.
- The leaves are medium sized, opposite, dark green, lanceolate. The surface is smooth, glossy, with dark beige veins. The shape of the leaf blade is wide at the bottom, pointed at the top. Length – 13 cm, width – 8 cm. Petioles are long, curved.
- The fruits are small in insignificant quantities, the seeds are equipped with a lionfish, and ripen in the second half of autumn.
How the Rochester lilac blooms
Lilac blooms in June, if spring is early and warm, the formation of buds begins in the second half of May, the flowers bloom a week later. During this period, the uniqueness of the plant is revealed. Standard varieties of common lilac have 4 petals, but the Rochester variety can have up to 20.On the panicle there are multi-petalled and classic forms.
The photo shows the Rochester lilac during flowering. General characteristics:
- The formation of inflorescences begins on perennial shoots and last year's shoots. The inflorescences are long - 25 cm, vertical, pyramidal in shape, dense, heavy.
- The buds are green, round.
- The flowers have the shape of a regular oval, the petals are not double, waxy, and radially located from the center. The flowers are large, average diameter 3 cm, white in color. If the plant has not received enough ultraviolet light, the color of the petals will have a slightly noticeable pink tint. The core is yellow, small in four-petal forms; the more petals, the larger the middle.
- The duration of abundant flowering is 25 days. The shrub forms inflorescences after five years of growth. In a sunny area, a three-year-old Rochester lilac bush may bloom. The aroma of the plant is strong, persistent, characteristic of the culture.
Features of reproduction
Generative propagation of the Rochester lilac variety is possible, but not productive. Seed germination is low; this method is used in specialized nurseries, creating conditions as close as possible to the climate of the historical homeland.
At the initial stage of breeding, a seedling is purchased. The variety's stem is short, the formation of the first branches begins close to the soil surface, so the best option for propagating lilacs is by layering from the mother bush.
Cuttings are used less often, because the material does not take root well. Green shoots with two full buds are used and the material is prepared before sap flow. The shrub can be propagated by basal shoots; it begins to grow when the lilac reaches four years of age.There is not much of it, but quite enough for mass planting.
Planting and care
Planting work and subsequent agricultural technology of Rochester lilac is no different from other varieties of crops. The plant can be classified as unpretentious, but to obtain a decorative crown, the conditions stated in the varietal characteristics are created.
Recommended timing
Planting work is carried out at the end of summer. For regions with a temperate climate, this is the end of August. There should be at least 1.5 months left before the onset of frost; this time is enough for the seedling to take root and overwinter safely. In the south, the crop is planted at the end of September. Plant adaptation in warm climates is faster.
Site selection and soil preparation
According to gardeners, Rochester lilac blooms in partial shade, but its decorative habit is higher in a place open to the sun. Place the plant in accordance with the design decision. The northern side, near large trees with a dense crown, is not considered. The plant feels comfortable on southern slopes; partial shading from the wall of the building on the eastern side is allowed.
The Rochester variety does not react well to the acidic composition of the soil; in this case, the plant produces small flowers, the snow-white color of which is often diluted with beige. Soils for planting are chosen neutral or slightly alkaline. The acidic composition is neutralized with alkali-containing agents. The soil for planting should be loamy, light, fertile, and drained. A wetland area is not suitable for planting.
2 weeks before placing the lilacs, a planting hole with a diameter of 50*50 cm is dug into the area. The depth depends on the seedling.Based on the following calculation: the height from the root to the neck, it is left on the surface, plus 20-25 cm for drainage and a layer of nutrient mixture. Gravel or crushed stone of the middle fraction is used as drainage; it is placed directly into the planting hole. The soil is mixed with compost, ash, sand, and 200 g of superphosphate is added per 10 kg. One part of the soil mixture is poured onto the bottom of the hole, the other is left for planting.
How to plant correctly
Planting lilacs of the Rochester variety is carried out on a cloudy day or in the evening after sunset. Before planting, the root of the seedling is dipped in a growth-stimulating preparation for 2 hours. Step-by-step instruction:
- Lilac root is dipped into a thick clay solution.
- At the bottom of the pit, a cone-shaped hill is made in the center.
- Place the plant and distribute the roots.
- Pour in part of the fertile mixture and compact it carefully.
- Pour out the remains so that there is no void left near the root.
- Ash is poured near the root circle and watered.
When mass planting, at least 2.5 m is left between seedlings. Rochester lilac is a spreading shrub, so it needs space to form a decorative crown.
Growing lilacs Rochester
If the seedling has taken root and overwintered safely, further growing season will not be a problem for the gardener. Caring for the variety is not labor-intensive, standard.
Watering
The variety is drought-resistant and does not respond well to waterlogging of the root system. Watering is necessary for young seedlings in the spring, if there is no precipitation - 2 times every 10 days. After watering, loosen the soil so that there is no crust, and remove weeds along the way. After the leaves have formed, seasonal rainfall is enough for the young lilac. An adult plant is watered abundantly during the formation of buds. During flowering, shrubs are not watered.
Top dressing
When planting a seedling, the required amount of micronutrients is added to the hole; they are enough for full growth for 3 years. An adult plant is given organic matter in the spring; compost diluted in water or manure along with ash is suitable. It is recommended to apply a complex of mineral fertilizers once every 2 years.
Mulching
When planting a seedling, the soil around the plant is covered with sawdust, straw, peat, and pine needles. The layer should be approximately 15-25 cm, it all depends on the winter temperature. In the spring I remove the mulch and repeat the procedure until the lilac is three years old. Mature shrubs are not mulched.
Trimming
The Rochester lilac bush does not require shaping; the crown has a regular rounded shape. The variety as a tapeworm looks harmonious in its natural form. In the spring, sanitary cleaning is carried out, dry branches and frozen shoots are removed. The main activities are to rejuvenate the bush. Several old trunks are removed. Three-year-old shoots are used as a replacement.
According to gardeners, after flowering, it is necessary to remove the inflorescences of the common Rochester lilac; before autumn, young buds will form on the tops of the shoots, and in the spring the crop will bloom profusely. The variety planted as a hedge is formed according to the design plan.
Preparing for winter
According to the description of the variety, Rochester lilac is a plant with good winter hardiness. The lower the temperature in winter, the more abundant the flowering in spring. An adult plant does not require shelter for the winter; there is no need to mulch the soil. The only autumn event is abundant watering, which is carried out if there was no precipitation at the end of summer.The root circle of young seedlings is mulched; the crown is not covered for the winter. Lilac completely replaces frozen shoots during the growing season.
Diseases and pests
The Rochester lilac variety rarely gets sick and is practically not affected by pests. If air humidity is high for a long time, powdery mildew infection is possible. Eliminate fungus with fungicides. They parasitize the Lilac moth crop; adult insects and caterpillars are eliminated with Fozalon. The rose leafhopper is a threat in warm climates. The pest is destroyed with Fitoverm and Kemifos.
Conclusion
Rochester lilac is one of the elite collection varieties of American selection. A perennial plant that is unpretentious to soil composition and has high frost resistance, it is grown in regions with cold climates. An ornamental crop that requires little maintenance, is used for landscaping gardens and personal plots.
