Content
A lilac hedge is one of the common multifunctional techniques in landscape design. The plant is used to protect and mark the territory. Group planting in a line gives the site an aesthetic, complete look. The culture grows quickly, takes root well in a new place, tolerates pruning. It is attractive for cultivation in the Russian climate because of its high frost resistance and availability of planting material.
Benefits of growing lilacs as a hedge
Common lilac is represented by a variety of varieties and hybrids. The availability of planting material allows you to create a do-it-yourself lilac hedge on the site, for this you do not have to be a professional designer. Therefore, most suburban areas are framed by lilac bushes. A hedge, depending on the idea, can be created of impressive size from tall varieties or a small one dividing the garden zones using dwarf shrubs.
Lilac benefits:
- The culture safely tolerates winter cold and summer heat.
- The trunk and branches are flexible, resist strong gusts of wind, do not break.
- Lilacs practically do not affect pests and diseases.
- The lilac hedge retains its decorative effect until late autumn. The color of the leaves does not change, it only fades, the leaves fall green.
- The flowering is abundant, long-lasting, the hedge can be grown multi-level from varieties of lilacs with different flowering periods and bush sizes.
- All representatives of the culture give a good annual growth, after 3-5 years they begin to bloom. Intensively form root shoots, quickly filling the free space.
- Lilacs are undemanding to the composition of the soil and subsequent care after planting. It hibernates without additional shelter, the survival rate in a new place is high.
- It lends itself well to pruning, does not create problems with reproduction. Hybrid forms can be quickly propagated by layering.
- Lilac has an exquisite scent.
What varieties of lilacs are suitable for creating a hedge
When choosing a variety of lilacs for a hedge, take into account what role it plays. For a protective function, tall varieties are chosen. As a rule, it is an ordinary lilac, a fairly hardy plant, undemanding, with a good annual growth. Common lilac is represented by several varieties with similar agricultural techniques.
For hedges, varieties with a lush, dense crown, large inflorescences and flowers are chosen.
For the decorative option with the function of dividing zones, the hedge is planted from breeding varieties. The material is sometimes quite expensive, the agricultural technology is more complicated. Hybrids are chosen according to climatic conditions. Drought resistance and winter hardiness are taken into account. Preference is given to a wide bush shape, rather than an elongated one. In the photo, a variant of a lilac hedge in landscape design.
The main direction in choosing a plant is the decorativeness of the habit. According to the color of the inflorescences, lilacs are divided into 5 groups, which include the varieties presented below.
White
Group 1 includes varieties of lilacs with white flowers.Several popular varieties for hedges. "Madame Abel Chatenay" is a tall shrub used to form a tall hedge. A crop with a medium and long flowering period. Flowering begins in mid-May and lasts 21 days. The flowers are bright white, double, collected in large panicles with a drooping top, reaching 25 cm in length. The bush is densely leafy, bright green, round shape, erect branches. Has a strong aroma.
"Beauty of Moscow" grows up to 4 m, the volume of the crown - 3 m. The parameters are taken into account when planting a hedge. Refers to the average flowering period. Terry large flowers are formed on a long inflorescence, they are white in color with a slight pink tint. The culture is planted in an open area, since the variety does not tolerate shade. Frost resistance is high.
Vestal is the most widespread variety in Russia. It is a tall shrub with a medium flowering period. Forms flowers of a delicate pure white color, medium size. The inflorescence is pyramidal, long. Abundant flowering, pronounced aroma. The crown is round, dense, about 2.5 m in volume. Lilac grows up to 3 m. It does not lose its decorative effect in the shade.
Pink
Group 2 includes varieties with pink flowers. Popular for growing hedges are varieties with high frost resistance and unpretentious care. These include the lilac "Caterina Haveyer". The shrub reaches 5.5 m in height and is tall. Variety with a medium flowering period. Panicles are small - 13-15 cm dense. The flowers are medium in size, light pink. The crown is round, dense. The culture is frost-resistant, tolerates partial shade well. Does not grow on swampy soils.
For hedges, a hybrid dwarf variety of lilacs "Meyer Palibin" is used. The growth of a low-growing plant is slow, it does not grow in height above 1.2 m. The crown is spherical, densely leafy, completely covered with small panicles. It belongs to the early variety. Differs in the duration of flowering. The buds are purple, after opening the flowers are light pink. A drought-resistant variety that tolerates well a lack of moisture in summer and low temperatures in winter.
"Great Victory" is a wide-spreading bush of medium size (up to 2 m), the volume of the crown is about 2 m. The peculiarity of the plant is long inflorescences (up to 35-40 cm), dense, heavy, drooping. The flowers are large, dark pink, semi-double. By the end of flowering, they brighten and become pale pink in color. The unpretentious plant is widely used to form hedges in temperate climates.
Blue
The third (blue) group includes the lilac "Ami Shott" - a tall shrub, reaching 3 m in height, with a dense crown and large leaves. The flowers are light blue, double. Inflorescences are very dense, up to 30 cm long. Lilac blooms in mid-May. The flowering period is 28 days. Lilac is listed in the top 10 varieties. The culture is undemanding to watering and lighting, frost-resistant, it is considered the best option for hedges.
"President Grevy" is a French breeding variety. A medium-sized plant with an early to long flowering period. It has a delicate aroma. The buds are pink, after blooming they turn blue with a slight pink tint. The flowers are large, double. The inflorescences are dense, up to 20 cm long. The culture does not lose its decorative effect in the shade, is frost-resistant, and safely tolerates drought.
"Dresden China" is a tall shrub (up to 3.5 m) with a crown of medium density. The flowers are small, semi-double, blue. Inflorescences consist of three globular panicles. The plant blooms in late May.
The culture does not tolerate waterlogged soil. At high humidity, the flowers become rusty and fall off. Grows poorly in the shade.This lilac is one of the most frost-resistant varieties.
Lilac
The most common 4th group. Includes over 50 varieties. Almost all varieties are used for hedges. The most popular of them is "Russian Song" - a tall plant reaching 3 m in height. The crown is spherical with large leaves of a dark green hue. Inflorescences are pyramidal with a lowered top and a dense arrangement of large semi-double flowers of dark purple color. Lilac grows in the shade and in the sun, does not react to drought and high humidity, it is not afraid of frosts. Flowering time is from the second half of May to mid-June.
"Memory of Vekhov" refers to early varieties, a medium-sized shrub (no more than 2 m). Abundant flowering, flowers are dense, large, dark purple. The color does not change from the beginning of budding to the end of flowering. Inflorescences are long - 25-30 cm. Lilac with high decorative habit is ideal for hedges.
"Taras Bulba" is a tall plant with convex leaves of a light green hue. The flowers are double, rather large, bright purple. The panicles are lush and heavy. Lilac late, with long flowering, one of the few varieties that require summer feeding. Frost resistance is high, drought does not affect the growing season, they are planted only in an open area.
Purple
The violet lilac of the fifth (least common) group consists mainly of hybrid and selective varieties. Hybrids include "Mood Indigo" - an elite representative of culture. Upright bush - up to 2 m, with an early flowering period. Inflorescences are dense, long (30 cm), narrow pyramidal. Abundant flowering, dark purple flowers with a purple frame around the edge. One of the exotic hedge options. Average frost resistance, warming of the roots for the winter is required. Does not react to waterlogged soil, does not grow on acidic soils. Shade tolerance is low.
"Cosmos" is a selection variety that was created specifically for landscaping the urban landscape. Ideal for tall hedges. The bush reaches a height of 6 m, spreading, intensely leafy. The inflorescences are dense, up to 25 cm long. The flowers are large, purple, with a blue tint along the edge. The culture resists wind, drought, frost well. Virtually maintenance-free.
Royal Ash is a hyacinth variety of lilacs. A selective Canadian species in mid-April forms buds, by the end of the month it begins to bloom. A bush of medium height - up to 2 m, with a spherical crown of a regular shape. Average leafiness. Growing upright, branched. Inflorescences are long (up to 25 cm), narrow pyramidal. The flowers are large with sharp petals at the ends, dark purple in the morning and evening, purple in the afternoon in sunny weather. The aroma is strong, tart. It tolerates frosts down to -40 0C, rainy weather does not affect decorativeness, drought resistance is average.
Combining lilacs of different varieties
Lilac varieties in mass planting are well grouped, complementing each other. The selection of a plant is carried out according to several parameters:
- First of all, by the color and structure of the flower. You can play on the contrast of white and purple with double and simple inflorescences. The combination of pink and blue looks decorative. Shades of the same color will not stand out in the fit. Lilac hedges can be planted in ascending color. In the middle, white on either side is pink, the next cyan completes the color scheme with magenta.
- When planting, take into account the shape of the bush: vertically growing are not combined with spreading in width. Sprawling shrubs will cover the vertical ones. Tall ones do not combine with dwarf hedges for the same reason.
- The flowering time for many varieties is different. To prolong the flowering time in the hedge, early lilacs are used in combination with a medium and late period.
In this case, it is necessary to select varieties with the same frost resistance and agricultural technology.
Rules for planting lilac hedges
Lilacs are planted in temperate climates in spring before bud formation, autumn planting is suitable for the south. Lilac planted in spring will fully take root by winter. The seedling is taken two years of age with a strong root and viable buds.
To determine the required number of seedlings, the plot for the hedge is measured, you can draw a diagram where the seedlings are staggered. The distance for compact varieties is 1.5 m, for tall ones with a spreading crown - at least 3 m. A dense planting for lilacs is undesirable, the plants will drown out each other and grow to the sides. The appearance of the hedge will change for the worse.
The site is chosen open so that the nearby large-sized trees do not shade the lilac, otherwise the growth and flowering of the shrubs will be defective. It is not recommended to place dwarf species near a lilac hedge, in this case the vegetation of low plants will be inhibited.
The composition of the soil for lilacs does not matter much, but the soil must be light, drained, fertile.
The recommended size of the planting pit is 60 * 60 cm, the depth is 70 cm. They are dug out 7 days before the lilacs are placed on the site, drainage is placed on the bottom. On the day of planting, a soil mixture is prepared from humus, sand and soil (in equal parts). For every 8 kg of the mixture add 30 g of superphosphate, 500 g of ash. The soil prepared for each seedling is divided into two parts.
Planting sequence:
- One part of the soil mixture is poured onto the drainage, a small cone-shaped hill is made in the center.
- A seedling is placed on a hill, evenly distributing the roots over the ground.
- Fall asleep with the second part of the fertile mixture.
- Tamped, watered, mulched with peat.
After planting, the branches are shortened (up to 15 cm). If a lilac hedge is planted along a garden path, the width of an adult bush is taken into account, since the lilac grows and makes it difficult to pass.
Features of caring for a lilac hedge
Growing a lilac hedge is not difficult. Only young seedlings for the first 2 years of growing season require the intervention of a gardener, an adult plant does not need special care. Water the plant immediately after planting. In order to prevent the soil from drying out and waterlogging, they are guided by the frequency of seasonal precipitation. Adult shrubs are watered before flowering, if necessary, re-moistened in mid-July. Loosen the soil and remove weeds as needed.
If top dressing is made during planting, the supply of useful trace elements of lilac will last for 3 years. Starting from 4 years of vegetation, organic matter is introduced in the spring. Top dressing is done with mineral fertilizers once every 3 years. After placing on the site, young shrubs are mulched with a layer of straw or peat.
How to properly trim a hedge
Many types of lilacs are suitable for unformed hedges. Pruning is sanitary. In the spring, before sap flow, the root shoots are cut, 2-3 old branches are removed, rejuvenating the shrub. After flowering, the peduncles are cut.
If the pruning is functional, it is carried out to form a hedge, the optimal time is early spring and the period when the lilac has faded. Forming begins only after three years of vegetation. I remove curved branches and shoots that protrude beyond certain boundaries. Dwarf varieties are horizontally cut off the top.
Preparing a shrub for winter
Lilac does not require special preparation for the winter period. All plant varieties are frost-resistant, withstand temperatures as low as -38 0C. In case of freezing of the root system, an adult plant forms a substitution. Young shrubs up to 3 years old are not so frost-resistant, so low temperatures can lead to the death of the seedling.Shelter is not required for the crown, the root circle is mulched with straw or peat, the layer should be at least 15 cm. An adult plant with insufficient seasonal precipitation is given water-charging irrigation.
Conclusion
A lilac hedge is an element of a design technique. Due to the variety of varieties with different flower colors and bush shapes, lilacs are harmoniously combined with any composition in the garden. At the summer cottage, a hedge will decorate the landscape, protect the site from the penetration of animals and unwanted "guests". The culture is frost-resistant, grown in regions with cold climates. The ability to do without watering for a long time is relevant in the South.
