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Lilac is a very common shrub in Russia. However, not every gardener imagines what the Persian lilac looks like, where it grows and what are the features of this species.
Description of Persian lilac
The Persian lilac (or "Persian") variety belongs to the Olive family. In Russia, culture can be found much more often in a botanical garden, and not at a summer cottage. It is often confused with other varieties, in particular, Chinese, Hungarian or terry. The 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 culture.
The shrub has a semi-oval shape. Its leaves resemble an elongated ellipse with a pointed end. Flowers in this variety are most often in a beautiful mauve shade. Inflorescences of Persian lilacs are lush egg-shaped panicles. They are evenly distributed throughout the bush and look stuffed, terry.
Flowering in this variety at the same time as in common lilac - in mid-May, and continues until mid-June.
The plant does not need a special soil composition, it withstands drought well, it is winter-hardy enough, but does not occur in the wild. The whole difficulty lies in reproduction - it is very difficult to obtain seedlings of the variety. 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 lilacs in the plots.
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 ordinary lilac) - this is a dwarf Persian lilac. Sprawling, 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 the Persian lilac and the usual
Thin, arched shoots of the culture 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 in. Up to 7 pairs can be located on one branch, then the length of the inflorescence is approximately 30 cm. The color of the petals is also different: it is not usual, lilac, but light purple, white or white-lilac.
The maximum height of the Persian lilac is 3 m, while the common lilac can reach 5-6 m. In addition, the described variety is better adapted to drought and cold. In early autumn, the Persian lilac, especially 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
The Persian lilac variety in natural conditions is almost impossible to propagate, only specialists in the laboratory can do it. There are three varieties of it:
- Persian white lilac (Syringa persica Alba) - its full and, at the same time, airy snow-white inflorescences exude a delicate, sweet aroma;
- Dissected Persian lilac (Syringa persica Laciniata) - not small openwork leaves and miniature light lilac flowers are located on thin twigs and hang down, the variety looks gentle, resembles a weeping birch;
- Persian red lilac (Syringa persica Nibra) - lilac-pink inflorescences, rather of a red hue, look very unusual and impressive in the garden, especially against the background of green leaves.
Breeding features
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 a light material that allows air to pass through, and the roots will be moistened by the nutrient medium.
Features of planting and care
The variety is quite undemanding and resistant to adverse factors, but when planting, it is better to adhere to some rules so that the plant can please with its beautiful inflorescences as early as possible:
- In the shade, a heat-loving shrub can stop blooming, it needs the sun.
- In the lowlands, water collects on the site, which can cause the roots to die off.
- Areas with strong winds are not suitable.
- The shrub prefers neutral to moderately acidic fertile soil.Advice! If the soil in the garden is known to be too acidic, then this can be corrected with the help of lime.
- In order for the plant to take root accurately, it must be planted in a time period at the end of July - beginning of 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 the Persian lilac are very sprawling, they need space.
Planting recommendations
Persian lilacs are planted in a pit 40-50 cm so that the entire root ball does not fit. The size of the pit should be doubled if there is sandstone on the site, 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 slightly compacted. After that, be sure to water the bush abundantly 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 are healthy. Their optimal length should be about 20 cm. The rest should be cut off. The plant is quite tolerant of transplanting, moreover, experienced gardeners recommend changing the place of the shrub after a year and a half, when the growing lilac completely draws out the nutrients.
Care advice
- In the first two years, young shrubs need to be watered generously and regularly - up to 25 - 30 liters. In the summer heat "Persian" needs water every day. In an adult lilac, the root system is developed, it is no longer watered, with the exception of too hot periods.
- It is important to remove all overgrowth and damaged branches.
- Pruning will help to form the crown, but it can be carried out no earlier than after 3 years. This is done in the spring, when the buds are still dormant. You need to select about 10 branches, located as far as possible from each other, and cut the rest.
- At least three times a season, it is necessary to loosen the root circle and remove the emerging weeds.
- Top dressing is very important. 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 enough. Potassium and phosphorus (double superphosphate; potassium nitrate) should also be given every 2 to 3 years.
- During the flowering season, the shrub is attacked by May beetles, they will have to be removed by hand.
- The bushes are prepared for wintering as follows - the surface of the earth in the root circle is covered with peat or dry leaves with a layer 10 cm thick.
Gardeners reviews
Conclusion
Blooming Persian lilacs will beautifully decorate small and large gardens. According to gardeners' reviews, following the simple rules of caring for the plant will help you enjoy the beauty of the lilac-lilac "constellations" and the delicate aroma of the unpretentious Persian lilac bush every year.
