Yankee Doodle Lilac

Check out the color on this lilac! Its so vivid you can almost smell that unforgettable lilac scent. This lilac has been given a serious makeover while maintaining all those wonderful characteristics that we love about them. With its profuse, intense purple blooms, and familiar perfume, this is not your grandmothers lilac although she would love it if it were. A classic, old fashioned favorite once found growing on many properties back in the day, this lilac is sure to bring up some memories of her garden. A cottage garden favorite, its flowers are born on the tips of long slender branches from buds held tight over the winter which emerge from the unfurling foliage in late spring. Flowering from late May to early summer this lilac is a beautiful addition to any garden, perennial border or as a hedge. Planted amongst a background of flowering trees with a similar flowering time this lilac would certainly stand out. A real show stopper! Yankee Doodle Lilac Care For the best flower production lilacs should be planted in a spot that will receive full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. Anything less and you will see little to no blooms from your lilac. They prefer a well-drained, alkaline soil and should be watered frequently until they are well established as they prefer not to dry out. Plant in a site that has been amended with either cow manure or compost to the existing soil. Follow up about a week later with hydrated lime applied according to the manufacturers instructions. Prune or deadhead lilacs immediately after flowering so as to not sacrifice next year's blooms. Yankee Doodle Lilac Spacing Lilacs can reach a height of 8 to 10 feet with a 6 foot spread. Under the right conditions they do well as hedge or as an accent planting in a perennial border provided that they are given the space they need. If planting as a hedge, space the plants out 5 feet apart, center on center. If you do not want a hedge, then plant at least 6 feet apart, center on center. And plant 3 feet away from any structures or other plants.