Scentara® Double Blue Lilac

The Scentara® Double Blue Lilac, is a majestic deciduous shrub that boasts a variety of remarkable attributes. With a robust growth habit, it reaches a height and spread of approximately 6 to 8 feet, making it a prominent and striking feature in any garden setting. The shrub displays an upright form, contributing to its elegant and structured appearance.

One of the most notable characteristics of this lilac is its flower color. The blooms exhibit a captivating purple hue, with shades of blue emerging under the spring sunshine. These flowers are not only visually appealing but are also intensely fragrant, offering a sensory experience that is unmatched by many other lilac varieties. The Scentara® Double Blue is celebrated for this exceptional fragrance, derived from its Syringa hyacinthiflora lineage, known for its olfactory richness.

The Scentara® Double Blue Lilac, with its striking features and fragrance, offers a variety of landscaping uses, making it a versatile addition to many garden designs:

1. Specimen Planting: Its vibrant blooms and robust size make it an ideal specimen plant. It can be the focal point in a garden, attracting attention with its stunning flowers and fragrance.
2. Border Planting: The lilac can be used to create visually appealing borders along walkways, fences, or garden edges. When in bloom, these borders become especially attractive and aromatic.
3. Mass Planting: For a dramatic effect, planting multiple Scentara® Double Blue Lilacs together in a mass planting can create a sea of purple-blue blooms, which is especially striking in larger gardens or public spaces.
4. Cottage Gardens: Its traditional lilac blooms and fragrance fit perfectly into the relaxed and romantic style of cottage gardens, complementing other perennials and shrubs commonly found in these settings.
5. Cut Flower Gardens: The lilac's fragrant and visually appealing blooms make excellent cut flowers, providing material for indoor floral arrangements that bring the garden's beauty and scent indoors.
6. Wildlife Gardens: While resistant to deer, the lilac can attract butterflies and bees, making it a beneficial addition to wildlife or pollinator gardens.
7. Screening: Due to its size and dense foliage, the Scentara® Double Blue Lilac can be used for screening purposes, providing privacy or hiding unsightly areas in a garden or yard.
8. Containers: For those with limited space or for adding height in mixed container plantings, this lilac can be grown in large containers, provided they have adequate drainage.
9. Landscape Accent: Used as an accent plant, it can enhance the overall aesthetics of the landscape, especially when planted near patios or windows where its fragrance can be most enjoyed.
10. Erosion Control: Its root system can help in stabilizing slopes and areas prone to erosion, making it not only an aesthetic choice but also a functional one in certain landscapes.

In all these uses, the Scentara® Double Blue Lilac’s combination of visual appeal, delightful fragrance, and adaptability to different garden styles and functions makes it a valuable plant for a wide range of landscaping projects.

Caring for the Scentara® Double Blue Lilac involves understanding its specific planting and maintenance requirements to ensure it thrives and provides the best display of blooms and fragrance.

Planting:

1. Timing: Plant in early spring or fall. Avoid planting in extreme heat or cold.
2. Location: Choose a location with full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, with 8 or more being ideal).
3. Soil: Prefers well-drained, alkaline soil. Lilacs are adaptable to various soil types, but poor drainage can be detrimental.
4. Planting Depth and Spacing: Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Space plants 6 to 8 feet apart to allow for growth and air circulation.
5. Watering after Planting: Water thoroughly after planting. Ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged.

Care:

1. Sunlight: Full sun is crucial for optimal growth and blooming.
2. Watering: Water the plant deeply but infrequently. The soil should never be soggy. Lilacs require less water once established but may need more during extreme heat.
3. Mulching: Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
4. Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer in early spring, but avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to more foliage and fewer blooms.
5. Pruning: Prune immediately after blooming if necessary. Pruning later can remove the next season's flower buds. Remove any dead or diseased branches and thin out as needed to encourage airflow.
6. Disease and Pest Control: Scentara® Double Blue is generally disease-resistant. Keep an eye out for common lilac pests and diseases, treating them as needed.
7. Winter Care: In colder climates, lilacs typically do not require extra winter protection. However, in borderline hardy zones, a layer of mulch can help protect the roots.
8. Soil pH: If your soil is not naturally alkaline, consider using soil amendments to adjust the pH level.
9. Rejuvenation: Older lilacs can benefit from rejuvenation pruning to restore vigor and bloom quality.

Additional Tips:

• Cold Tolerance: Lilacs need a period of cold dormancy. They are more cold tolerant than heat tolerant.
• Bloom Requirement: Ensure they receive a minimum of 1,700 hours of temperatures below 45°F (7.2°C) for adequate bloom.
• Avoiding Root Rot: Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, particularly in winter.

By following these planting and care guidelines, your Scentara® Double Blue Lilac should thrive, providing beautiful blooms and a delightful fragrance for many years.