Lilacs, a colorful and tough shrub!

This week we have many varieties of Lilacs to choose from! Perhaps you visited the Lilac Festival and want a beauty for your own yard. Lilacs are a great choice for a flowering shrub. Most grow 8-12′ or so, but there are some dwarf varieties such as Lilac “Miss Kim that top out at 4-5′ tall.  They are hardy and adaptable for our climate here in WNY. They grow well in full to mostly full sun, and a moderately fertile soil. The one thing lilacs dislike is wet feet, so make sure to plant them in a spot that will not have standing water, good drainage is the key. Make sure you keep your young plant watered though through its first and second season to establish a good root system. You will be rewarded with fragrant flowers for years to come!