Hello! I love lilacs but lack yard. Does anyone have a recommendation of a type of lilac that grows well in a container? Also, how big a container would I need?
Thanks for your help!
Growing Lilacs in Container
I would stick with a dwarf lilac. Lilacs have a huge root structure. You might be able to get away with a dwarf cultivar in a large container. 'Miss Kim' is nice one.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
My local nusery lady had lilacs in pots (the big lilacs) and she had one bloom. You could try it- if anything the leaves are so pretty! LOL
I've been growing six California Descanso Garden Hybrid Lilacs in 15-gallon containers for the past two years. They are young yet so they have not flowered much. The root structure filled the 15-gallon container by the end of the second year, and they couldn't retain any water. I don't have the room for larger containers so, reluctantly, I gave them to the landlord and put them in the ground. I figure that I will enjoy them while I am living here, and I can always dig up some suckers when I have to leave. The only other alternative was to root prune and replant in the same container so the roots can continue to take up water. Growing lilacs in a container will dwarf them somewhat, and some lilacs are smaller than others so I say go for it!
Thanks so much for your input! I can't wait to go get one and try my luck. They are QUITE prevelant in this area and I feel left out not having my own!
Kari
Kari, I agree that they are worth growing. Good luck and let us know how they do.
This is lilac Lavender Lady:
This is a Syringa vulgaris "Nadezhda":
This is my double white "Krasavitsa Moskvy," Beauty of Moscow.
Ralphie, I know you can grow Miss Kim, and I know somebody who grows a James McFarlane. But since you're in a warmer zone I'd pick one that doesn't require a lot of chilling. Check out http://spi.8m.com/usdamap.html