Hey flower lovers! I’ve been growing lilacs for over 10 years, and let me tell you – there’s nothing quite like bringing these fragrant blooms indoors. Today, I’m gonna share everything I know about the best lilac varieties for cut flowers and how to keep them looking fresh in your vase.
Top Lilac Varieties for Cut Flowers
After trying dozens of varieties. here are my top picks that consistently perform well as cut flowers
1. Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
- The classic purple variety
- Most intense fragrance with citrusy notes
- Grows 15-20 feet tall
- Extremely hardy in zones 3-7
- My personal favorite for bouquets!
2. French Lilacs
- Wide range of colors from white to deep purple
- Double-flowered varieties available
- More compact growth (12-15 feet)
- Great vase life when properly conditioned
3. Bloomerang Lilac
- Reblooming variety
- Compact size (4-6 feet)
- Perfect for smaller gardens
- Multiple harvests throughout season
4. Miss Kim Lilac
- Compact growth (8-9 feet)
- Late blooming
- Sweet fragrance
- Perfect for container growing
5. Dwarf Korean Lilac
- Small size (4-5 feet)
- Dense flower clusters
- Great for small space gardens
- Easy to harvest from
Growing Tips for the Best Cut Flowers
To get the most amazing blooms for cutting, follow these tried-and-true tips:
Planting Requirements
- Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
- Well-draining soil
- Space plants properly (6-10 feet apart)
- Avoid wet areas or lawn sprinkler zones
Soil and Fertilizer
- Rich, organic soil
- Apply organic flower fertilizer in spring
- Mulch with compost and wood chips
- Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
Pruning for Better Blooms
-
After flowering:
- Remove spent blooms
- Cut back to a pair of leaves
- Encourages new growth
-
Winter pruning
- Remove stems older than 6 years
- Cut out dead/crowded branches
- Control overall height
- Don’t prune all stems at once
Harvesting and Conditioning for Longest Vase Life
Here’s my fail-proof method for getting 3-4 days of vase life from cut lilacs
Best Time to Harvest
- Early morning
- When flowers are 75% open
- Stems fully hydrated
- Cool temperatures
Harvesting Steps
- Bring clean bucket with cool water
- Cut stems at desired length
- Remove all leaves
- Make angled cut
- Split stem 1-2 inches up
- Twist split section backward
- Place immediately in water
Conditioning Tips
- Keep in cool, dark place 1-2 hours
- Use clean vases
- Add floral preservative
- Change water daily
- Recut stems each day
Common Problems & Solutions
Even experienced gardeners face challenges. Here’s how to deal with common issues:
Quick Wilting
- Harvest earlier in day
- Use proper conditioning techniques
- Keep away from heat sources
- Change water frequently
Powdery Mildew
- Improve air circulation
- Avoid overhead watering
- Remove affected leaves
- Maintain proper spacing
Poor Blooming
- Check sunlight exposure
- Avoid over-pruning
- Ensure proper winter chill
- Feed appropriately
Where to Buy Quality Lilac Plants
I’ve had good experiences with these suppliers:
- NatureHills.com
- Arbor Day Foundation
- PlantingTree.com
- Fast Growing Trees
- BrighterBlooms.com
Pro tip: Visit local nurseries during bloom time to smell different varieties before buying!
Final Thoughts
Growing lilacs for cut flowers takes a bit of practice, but the rewards are so worth it! Remember, the key is proper harvesting and conditioning. Even if they only last 3-4 days in the vase, there’s nothing quite like that amazing lilac fragrance filling your home.
I’d love to hear about your experiences growing lilacs! What varieties have worked best for you as cut flowers? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about these beautiful blooms!
Happy growing!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my other articles on growing cut flowers and creating the perfect flower garden!
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Find out how to plant and prune these fragrant shrubs, and learn which cultivars to check out
Lilacs (Syringa spp. and cvs., Zones 3–8) are so commonplace in many parts of North America that it may surprise you to learn that they are not native to this continent. Of the 20 to 25 species of lilacs, all come from Europe and Asia. While not native to North America, lilacs were fragrant imports that arrived around the same time as the colonists. Today, lilacs are one of the first plants young families choose to grow when they get their first homes.
Although deliciously fragrant and beautiful when in bloom, lilacs rarely make excellent specimen plants and are best if located somewhere they can grow tall. They can (and should) be picked as cut flowers. They are not well suited for use as hedges or clipped shrubs. Lilacs are stunningly beautiful when in bloom anytime from April to June, (although newer addition to the market, the Bloomerang® series, promises shrubs will rebloom into August) but it is the unmistakable scent of the blossoms that is behind much of their appeal.
How to prune lilacs
Lilacs are loosely growing shrubs, and while long-lived, they do need some annual maintenance if you want the best possible blooms. Remove one-third of the old trunks once a shrub has matured and has woody, bark-covered trunks. Lilacs bloom best on newer branches, usually ones that rise from the base and are two to three years old. Old, mature wood will form small, thin limbs, and while flower buds will still form, the weight of the flowers is often too much for the spindly stems, and the flower heads will be much smaller.
Removing old woody stems from mature plants is best done after the flowers have faded, usually in late June. This will give the plants time for new stems to emerge from the base of the shrubs. By removing one-third every year, you will continue to get some bloom every year. Some older shrubs may benefit from complete removal of all large stems at once, but that may prevent blooming for a couple of years until growth is mature again.
Pruning is critical with old lilacs, and while many choose to prune an ancient, woody lilac in early spring, this is the wrong time. Prune an old lilac just after it blooms. Either remove all the dead and mature growth down to the ground, leaving 10-inch-long stumps, or cut limbs with a saw, removing about one-third of the old growth each year until the entire shrub is regenerated. Amend the soil with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer or manure, and add plenty of ground limestone to the surface. Keep an eye on watering as well, applying an inch of water a week as a good target. Expect new growth to bloom in the second year after pruning. For more on pruning lilacs, check out How to Prune Lilacs.
Best shrubs for a cut flower garden // Northlawn Flower Farm
FAQ
Does lilac make good cut flowers?
As a May and early June cut flower, lilac is invaluable to pick for a good-sized vase inside.Dec 19, 2020
What is the strongest smelling lilac?
4. Which lilac is most fragrant? All smell wonderful but we think ‘Palibin’, ‘Josee’ and ‘Beauty of Moscow’ are particularly fragrant.
How to make lilac cut flowers last longer?
Since lilacs have a woody stem they have a harder time absorbing water once cut, so break the stem open to make it easier for them to stay hydrated!May 1, 2024
Do lilacs do well in a vase?
Lilacs are best suited for arranging in a vase of water. They are short lived in floral foam. Purchasing hints: Purchase stems with tight blossoms, just beginning to open. The more fragrant the Lilac, the shorter the vase life.