HI ya'll.....My sister lives in Ft.Worth and relies on me to help her with her gardening questions since I am a Master Gardener. However, I live in Northern Michigan in Zone 5a which is a different growing area. My question to you is, she would like to grow a Lilac bush, but has no luck growing these. Does anyone in her growing area have one, and what do you do to keep it growing. Aslo, can you recommend a good nursery. Thanks....
Deann
Need Help From A Ft.Worth Texas Gardener
OH my! You've come to the right place! No. I grew up with Lilacs also up north, but we don't stay cold enough here for them to do well.... : (
Nurseries.... where do we start....
Weston Gardens off Anglin Drive and 820
Redentas Garden, several locations, but Arlington has one
Mikes Garden, several ...
The Plant Shed, several...
Calloways, on Hulen
What area does she live in, and we can help her more... FW is a big place!
Several of us are into Texas Natives, have her browse the forum for the discussion started by Frostweed as we discuss natives...
welcome!
mel
I don't think they'll survive here, that's why we all grow crepe myrtle. The fragrance is lacking but hey, we get twice the growing time so it's not a bad trade off.
Michelle
Deann,
I am from Illinois and was told nothing would grow here when I first moved down here 6 years ago, and have found most of the myths to be untrue. There are varieties of lilac suited to the south, and a couple are available on Wayside Gardens' website. Try this link:
http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10151&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=47600&PrevMainPage=textsearchresults&OfferCode=R3H&scChannel=Text%20Search
or this one:
http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10151&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=47556&PrevMainPage=textsearchresults&OfferCode=R3H&scChannel=Text%20Search
About the only thing I struggle with are tulips. The key is good, well drained soil, which may require a raised bed, since the clay soil native to the area is so hard and rock like it's a surprise anything will grow in it. With some effort you'll be surprised how many "northern" plants do well here. Mulch in the summer to keep the roots somewhat cool and you'll be rewarded.
OOOohhhh I would love a lilac here, but have never heard or seen one here! Do you have one, and pictures, Steve?
Mel,
I have none planted, but have ordered three from the site I hyperlinked above, which I have ordered from many times before. I ordered three different varieties, including the two I linked. We'll see how they do. All are supposed to do well in the south, and Wayside is headquartered in S. Carolina. I currently have an herbaceous peony in bloom, and they aren't suppoed to do well here either!
OHhhhh. I have a peonie also, and she is about to bloom. I planted a new one this year, and hope she blooms next year. Peonies, lilacs, forsythia and babies breath remind me of my great grandpa's place back home. Love the old fashioned plants.
Steve and TxMel........thank you so much for the input......Have been away for a few days, so I am late in getting back to you. When home I check this site at least 4 times a day. Just love Dave's Garden....so many helpful gardener's here willing to help you out. I will be talking to my sister tomorrow as we usually do our "catchup" on Saturday mornings, and will relay the information you have provided.
Steve, I too just received my Wayside catalog, and found the Lilac you mentioned in there. I will give this to her as a gift.....thank you for pointing it out to me....as I sometimes don't get around to reading all the catalogs for a week or two......
TxMel......My sister is not a Texas native, but a transplanted New Yorker.....but loves Texas. As she puts it........."I was not born in Texas, but got here as soon as i could".
Deann
Steve,
I'm a full zone hotter than you but if your lilacs make it I'd like to know. Please keep us updated?
Thanks,
Michelle
Steve.........Talked with my sister, and she is in North Ft.Worth, near or off 377 and close to a small town of Keller??? Does that give you an idea.......and she is delighted about the Lilac....and can not wait to plant it......I would love to know how yours turn out as well.....
Deann
Hi Deann,
No problem - glad to help! I have bought many things from Wayside and have had excellent luck with their products, so I trust their claims. They're my favorite online retailer for general shrubs/trees/perennials. Your sister lives VERY close to me - like within 5 miles. I am just southwest of Keller near 820 and 35W, in north Ft Worth.
My plants have already arrived. I ordered them on 3/29 and got them on 4/1, using the express delivery. I bought three bushes - the two I have linked and then another called "Miss Kim" that is also supposed to do well in warm climates. The Miss Kim was large and bareroot, and the other two arrived in containers as pictured. I didn't have room for all three I decided so I gave one away to a friend LOL. I hope your sister has good luck as well, and that she enjoys hers.
Witch - I'll keep you updated on how they do!!
TxMel, I agree about the old fashioned plants. At the risk of getting lynched here, I know many of the people on this thread are really into native Texan plants, but I just don't find them (gulp!) that attractive, so I'm determined to make a garden similar to one I would have had up north!!! So far, it's worked out well.
http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10151&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=47557&PrevMainPage=textsearchresults&OfferCode=R3H&scChannel=Text%20Search
Thanks! If I could grow a lilac here, that would be awesome! Everyone has told me no way so far.
Michelle
Interesting, I was in Lowes today getting lawn feed and weed and they have lilacs for sale, in bloom. They don't look quite like the big trees I'm used to from Yorkshire UK, but they were pretty similar and supposed to be 'suited to Texas'.
Hi Deann, I live in Keller near 377 too, and so far most of the stuff I've planted, that my English gardners heart can't live without, seems to be doing fine. The plants I've had trouble with are the Texas Natives!!
okus.........which Lowes were you at?? I will tell my sister Carolann about it, and she can maybe go up there and see for herself. I think given the right conditions, with some modifications, this Lilac can be grown. It may require some partial sun instead of full sun since your sun is such a hot sun in the summer.
Deann
Yes, which Lowes? I would like to try one also! I miss that scent every spring!
Steve, that's not a problem for not including natives. I understand that concept when you have limited space... but WE have a half acre to fill, and the natives fill in space nicely. Natives are wonderful to have, but if I had limited space, I would have to be more selective. We find ourselves moving and removing things all of the time. No cookie-cutter beds here! It's all trial and error, live, learn or die.
BTW... we will be looking at moving to Keller in 3 years when our kids are out of school.... seems like the place to be...!
mel
hi all,
It was the Lowes in Keller on North Tarrant and Rufe Snow. They had loads outside the front of the garden center entry.
Okus..........Thanks.......I believe that is the one she goes too.....
Deann
Hi Deann -
I'm growing several Miss Kim lilacs right now. They are all still very young, but they seem to be happy. Mine are white, but I think they also come in blue and the Miss Kim variety is supposed to tolerate heat better than other varieties and they don't need as much cold weather. So, you may want to try this variety in the South.
Missi