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It is difficult to find a person who would never enjoy the bloom of lilacs in his life. In large and small cities, in villages and in farms in the spring, these plants personify the final entry of spring into their own rights. Meyer's lilac looks not entirely traditional, since it is a miniature, even dwarf species. But this is also its advantage, since it is truly universal in application.
Detailed description of the species
Meyer's lilac was discovered for the first time in China, but among cultural plantings. In the wild, this type of lilac has not yet been discovered. Its main feature is its small size. The shrub reaches a maximum height of 1.5 m.
The article will present not only a description of Meyer's lilac, but also numerous photos that will help get an idea of its appearance.
With the general comparative compactness of the crown shape in width, it can grow significantly and also reach 1.5 m. Therefore, this species of lilac serves excellently both as a tapeworm on the lawn and in a row of hedges. But the shrub of this variety grows and develops very slowly, the annual growth can be only about 10 cm per year, and even less for some varieties.
Young branches of the shrub are dark brown in color. With age, the color lightens a little and becomes gray-brown. The bark of adult branches is covered with numerous microscopic cracks.
Quite small in size, the opposite leaves are elliptical with a wedge-shaped base. In length, they do not exceed 4-5 cm, in width - 2.5-3 cm. From above they have a rich green tint, and from below they are lighter. A slight pubescence can be seen along the edging of the two lower veins. The leaves are jagged along the edges.
The flowering of Meyer's lilac begins from about the end of May to mid-June, simultaneously with the late varieties of common lilac. The inflorescences look like erect panicles up to 10 cm long, which bloom from several of the uppermost buds at the ends of the shoots. The flowers are very small, funnel-shaped with a light rim on the underside of the corolla. The aroma is strong, pleasant and sophisticated at times.
At the end of summer, when the heat subsides, the flowering of Meyer's lilac may well be repeated, although not as abundant as in spring. Flowers, depending on the variety, can be white, red, pink, purple and lilac.
Unlike common lilac? this species is able to bloom much earlier, literally in the second or third year of life. Incredibly, tiny bushes, about 30 cm high, may already be covered with buds.
Meyer's lilac or Syringa Meyeri (as this species is called in Latin) is characterized by the fact that, unlike other varieties, it does not form a root growth at all. But she is able to give many shoots from the base of the bush, expanding in breadth.
This species can be used for row planting in hedges, in a group of other flowering shrubs, and, of course, as a tapeworm.
In the description of Meyer's lilac, one cannot fail to mention its features:
- amazing frost resistance - plants can withstand air temperature drops down to - 30 ° С;
- smoke and gas resistance, which allows planting such varieties in urban conditions;
- heat resistance.
Popular varieties of Meyer's lilac
Breeders have managed to obtain many different varieties of Meyer's lilacs. And although the dwarf variety Palibin is considered the most popular, other varieties deserve no less attention.
Red Pixie
In the description of Meyer's Red Pixie lilac, one cannot fail to notice that, compared to other varieties, it differs in rather significant sizes, which is clearly visible in the photo.
The bushes are capable of reaching 170 cm in height. And the inflorescences that form on the bushes are distinguished by a decent size, up to 12-16 cm. The inflorescences are characterized by a relatively rare red or bright purple shade of flowers for lilacs. True, over time, the color of the lilac flowers of Meyer Red Pixie becomes lighter, more like pink, as in the photo.
The bushes of this variety grow 120 cm wide. They have oval leaves with a barely noticeable protruding tip, which have a glossy surface. The variety can be called remontant, since at the end of July and in August a second wave of flowering can be expected from it. Flowers have a persistent pleasant aroma and will decorate any area.
Josee
This is a hybrid variety, in the breeding of which three types of lilacs participated: Meyer, small-leaved and open. Both in height and in width, the bushes reach 150 cm, so they look very impressive. The variety also belongs to remontant. The first time it blooms traditionally at the end of May, when the entire bush is covered with lavender-pink inflorescences. If the level of illumination, as well as the moisture content of the soil, allows, then at the end of summer, the Meyer José lilac will bloom for the second time. The intensity of re-flowering also depends on the timely removal of all wilted inflorescences.
This variety grows extremely slowly, making it ideal for small curbs and mixborders. The tubular flowers give off an unforgettable scent, especially perceptible at night.
Tinkerbelle
Another very attractive Meyer lilac variety. It belongs to the most dwarf varieties, not exceeding 1-1.2 m in height.But in the horizontal plane, the bushes are capable of spreading 1.5 m.
Unblown buds that appear at the very end of spring have a bright cherry color. And after blooming, they become soft pink and very fragrant. With such an attractive appearance, the Meyer Tinkerbell lilac variety is not at all particularly demanding on growing conditions. Can tolerate poor soils, moderate watering, semi-shady location and other average conditions. Under favorable circumstances, it is also able to bloom again at the end of summer.
Flowerfesta Pink
One of the representatives of the new series of lilac varieties Meyeraflower festa (flower festa), under the designation pink, which means "pink" in English. This series was launched literally in recent years. It has more abundant and longer flowering than other varieties. The flowering period begins in May and continues in June. Repeated flowering can last from July until the onset of the first frost.
The plants are distinguished by one of the most compact forms of bushes, reaching one meter in width and a maximum of 120 cm in height. This particular variety has flowers with a pink color. The length of the inflorescences is quite standard for this species of lilac - about 10 cm.But the inflorescences themselves are very lush and are formed on the bushes in large numbers.
Flowerfesta Purple
Another variety from the Flowerfest series, which has flowers of a lilac or violet hue.
Flowerfesta White
Mayer's lilac variety from the above described modern hybrid series with white flowers.
Bloomerang Purple
An interesting hybrid variety was obtained by crossing four varieties of lilacs. The dimensions of the bush are quite typical for the lilac of the described variety, both in width and in height reaching 150 cm.
The inflorescences have an attractive bright purple hue, which may fade slightly over time. Like all other varieties, it is distinguished by its remontability. Moreover, if you specifically remove all the drying out inflorescences in time, then the re-flowering in August may not be inferior in brightness and abundance to the first, which took place in May-June.
The wonderful scent complements the overall flowering impression of the shrub, which can last until the first frost.
Lillifee
This variety is characterized by a very abundant flowering in May. In height, the bushes reach 120-130 cm, in width they spread up to 150 cm. In autumn, the foliage changes its green color to an attractive orange-red hue. Unblown buds are dark purple in color. While the flowers are distinguished by a beautiful lilac-purple color. The aroma from the bloom is subtle and light.
Benefits of growing Meyer's dwarf lilac
It is not for nothing that Meyer's dwarf lilac attracts many gardeners. After all, even the smallest house area can be decorated with its compact bushes. They are quite suitable for planting in flowerpots or containers and even in balcony boxes. It is not for nothing that the people call it a balcony. And Meyer's lilac can also be called a curb plant, because due to its low height, it may well serve to create green flowering borders.
Lilac bushes of this variety are able to bloom at a very young age, much earlier than traditional varieties, and this cannot but attract the owners of personal plots.
But for large landscaped areas of this lilac there is an application. It will perfectly fit into flower beds, mixboders, decorate large rockeries and hedges.
And the biggest advantage of this variety is its re-flowering at the end of summer. After all, the aroma of blooming lilacs in August can surprise anyone.
How Meyer's lilac multiplies
Reproduction of Meyer's lilac can be done in all standard ways:
- seeds;
- vaccinations;
- cuttings;
- layering.
The seed method is too laborious. In addition, most hybrid varieties will not retain their original properties with this method of propagation.
By grafting, lilacs of this species are propagated in early spring or winter, when all the buds are in a dormant state. You can plant cuttings on common or Hungarian lilacs, as well as privet. In this case, the formation of plants often occurs in the form of a standard tree.
This species is best propagated by cuttings during flowering. At the same time, an annual shoot is cut out from the middle of the bush and planted in a light mixture of sand with vermiculite.
Meyer's lilacs are propagated by root layers, as a rule, in autumn, at a time when the intensity of sap flow in plants decreases.
Meyer's lilac planting rules
Most often, Mayer's varietal lilacs are purchased in garden centers in containers with a closed root system. This ensures ease of planting and guarantees its 100% survival rate.
For planting lilacs in a permanent place, the most favorable period is from mid-August to the first half of September. If the seedling was purchased in the spring, then it is better to dig it in a semi-shady place until the end of summer.
When choosing a place for planting a shrub, you should be guided solely by your aesthetic requirements.The bushes are very unpretentious and can take root almost anywhere on the site, but for good and abundant flowering, it is advisable to choose a sunny place. Soils can be any: from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The only thing that no type of lilac can tolerate is stagnant waterlogging in the root zone. Therefore, when planting in lowlands or swampy areas, a decent drainage layer must be used.
The size of the hole should roughly correspond to the size of the root system of the seedling. If the soils are completely depleted, then it is advisable to add to the planting hole:
- 1 tbsp. l. phosphorus fertilizers;
- a bucket of compost or humus;
- glass of wood ash.
A lilac seedling is taken out of the container, if necessary, old and diseased roots are removed or cut to a living place. The plant is placed in a prepared hole and gradually covered with earth. After that, all shoots are cut into 2 buds.
The soil around the seedling is slightly compacted, spilled abundantly with water and covered with a layer of organic mulch about 6-7 cm thick.
Meyer's lilac care
Meyer's lilac is a heat-resistant and drought-resistant shrub, so caring for it will not cause much trouble. Bushes need a lot of water only during the flowering period. At other times, the plants will have enough atmospheric moisture. Of course, if the summer turned out to be especially hot and dry, then for re-flowering in the fall, the bushes need additional watering. Also, freshly planted bushes need regular watering (once a month) before the onset of stable frosts.
When fertilizing during planting in the first two years, lilacs do not need additional feeding. Further, ammonium nitrate can be applied under the plants over the snow in early spring and watered with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers in August at intervals of every two years.
The lilac bushes of this species are very small in size and have a superficial root system, which makes it easy to grow it in containers. But the same fact can be disastrous for the plant in the event of a frosty and snowless winter. Although Meyer's lilac is distinguished by good winter hardiness, in the first years after planting, it is advisable to abundantly cover the entire root zone with organic matter and in winter, make sure that the bushes are covered with snow as much as possible.
Sanitary pruning of lilacs should be carried out throughout the season, removing dry, diseased or damaged branches. Rejuvenating pruning is usually done in the fall, cutting out no more than 1-2 old shoots per year.
To give a beautiful shape to the bushes, you can slightly shorten the shoots in early spring before the buds awaken and immediately after flowering. Lilacs respond well to pruning. But do not be too zealous with annual shoots, since flowering occurs mainly on them and on the growths of the last year. And, of course, you cannot do without constant formative pruning when growing Meyer's lilac on a trunk.
Loosening of the soil in the root zone and removal of weeds must be carried out with great care due to the superficial occurrence of the roots. It is better to cover the entire root zone with an abundant layer of mulch, which will retain moisture, prevent weeds from germinating and provide additional nutrition.
Diseases and pests
Lilacs of this species have good resistance to many diseases and pests. In conditions of too humid summer, it can be affected by powdery mildew, which is successfully combated by spraying with any fungicide.
If pests (kidney mites, lilac leaf beetles, miner moths) are detected, lilacs are treated with insecticides.
Sometimes it is affected by viruses, which are useless to fight. You just need to monitor the health of the planting material and provide the plant with full care.
Conclusion
Meyer's lilac is a very decorative, versatile and at the same time unpretentious shrub.It can be grown almost anywhere, and re-flowering in early autumn will surprise and delight you with its surprise.
Testimonials
Reviews of Meyer's lilac once again testify to the unpretentiousness and charm of this plant.
