2 weeks Ago By Ann Wright | Columnist
There is nothing more enticing than the scent of lilac wafting through the door on a warm spring morning. These very fragrant lilacs outside my door belong to a large group of flowering shrubs and trees of the genus Syringa. There are many species from which to choose — lilac blooms come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors.
The majority of more than 1,600 lilac cultivars are descended from Syringa vulgaris (common lilac), and is one of the types we see in our area. Most lilacs do best with winter chill (at least 6 weeks with temperatures below 45° F) but there are some that have been bred to grow in warmer climates, such as Syringa vulgaris ‘blue skies’. Here in Penn Valley at about 1500 feet elevation, the lilacs established on my property have grown to be about 12 feet tall.
And, they have bloomed each year for the past 14 years. However, the flower clusters have been getting smaller each year, and the shrub is quite leggy. So, it may be time to do some progressive pruning to remove old branches and reduce the size over the course of 2-3 years.
Because lilacs bloom on second year wood, deadheading should be done right after the bloom. As soon as the bloom has faded, prune out the old flower at the base, just above the two nodes that angle out from the flower stem. Removing the old blossoms allows more of the plant’s energy to go back into the plant and encourage new blooms for next year.
Annual thinning of diseased, damaged or unproductive stems will help manage the shape and size of the lilac. The suckers or shoots that emerge from the roots away from the center of the plant should also be cut; but some of the shoots can be left to grow, leaving a few inches between the shoots to avoid overcrowding. Lilacs prefer neutral to alkaline soil and need good drainage.
In the spring, once rain has subsided, they can be watered deeply once a week, and in the summer, deep water about twice a week. Lilacs do best in full sun but protect them from heat reflected off structures. Another type of lilac is the native California lilac, or the Ceanothus.
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) website, Calscape (https://calscape.org/ ) lists 160 varieties of the genus Ceanothus. With a variety of sizes, shapes and flower color Ceanothus offers a number of choices, and the Calscape site will show which type grow best in your area.
The sizes of Ceanothus varies from large tree-like varieties to medium and low groundcover shrubs. One popular medium-size variety, Ceanothus concha has multiple dense clusters of oval-shaped flowers – in my back yard, it is teaming with pollinator activity. Considered one of the most important native habitat plants, the Ceanothus blossoms that appear in spring are important food sources for some butterfly and moth larvae, bees, and other beneficial insects.
Once the blooms are gone, the glossy dark green leaves are still very lovely with slightly serrated edges. Ceanothus is fairly easy to establish when planted where it has adequate drainage. A low mound is recommended for areas with slow drainage in heavy clay soil.
Once established, most species have adapted to drought and will survive with less water (1 -to-2 deep waterings per month) and it is noted that excess moisture can shorten its lifespan. For the best blooming, plant Ceanothus in full sun but check the variety – some may benefit from afternoon shade in the hottest areas and microclimates. Ceanothus does not do well with heavy pruning; the interior woody stems with spent growth can be trimmed out from interior branches.
Removing wayward lower limbs can help improve the plant’s shape. To learn more about growing native plants and other home gardening topics, join UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County for a free public workshop- on April 12 “Plant Protectors & Pollinator Gardens” which will be presented at the Madelyn Helling Library from 10 a.m.
to noon. On April 26 , learn more about water-wise choices, join us for “Gardening in a Changing Climate”. All April workshops are scheduled to be held at the Madelyn Helling Library (980 Helling Way in Nevada City); starting in May our workshops with be held at the UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County Demonstration Garden on the NID grounds at 1036 W.
Main Street in Grass Valley. Workshops are scheduled from 10 a.m.
to noon. For a full workshop calendar go to our website at https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-nevada-county .
UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County are delighted to announce our popular, in-person, live plant sale from 9am to noon on Saturday, May 10 – just in time for Mother’s Day! The sale will be held at the Demonstration Garden on the NID Business grounds, 1036 W. Main St. in Grass Valley.
Bring your boxes, wagons, or carts to fill with fresh, locally grown plants. Come early for the best selection. Plants being offered for sale are all nurtured and grown locally by UC Master Gardeners.
Offering many varieties of tomatoes, peppers, perennials, flowers and more, the spring plant sale is brimming with ideas for home gardeners. The sale starts promptly at 9 a.m.
All money received from Master Gardener plant sales goes directly back to the UC Nevada County Master Gardener program — and we are grateful to all who attend! We hope to see you there. For any questions, please call (530)273-0919 for our Hotline, or click on the “Got Questions” link on our website, and email your question to us..
