Every homeowner needs at least one unique plant in their garden that fills the house with a delicious fragrance when the window is open.
The Dwarf Korean Lilac Tree is the perfect choice to a place near a patio, or close to a window you frequently open. With a strong scent and gorgeous flowers, you may find that it is a fantastic addition to your garden. Learning how to take care of a Dwarf Korean Lilac Tree is simple.
These shrubs grow up to a maximum of six feet tall in a compact, yet rounded, shape. Starting in May, beautiful purple flowers bloom for two weeks, creating an impressive array of blossoms.
Many people believe lilacs are unruly, but a dwarf variety reduces the overall size while still giving off the colorful floral display so beloved.
Pick the Right Location
Before you purchase a Dwarf Korean Lilac Tree, you have to pick an excellent location for planting. The site needs to get full sun throughout the day, at least six hours per day, but more is fantastic.
At the same time, these trees prefer not to live in a climate with consistent heat. Cooler weather is significant because it needs dormancy for proper growth.
One of the reasons Dwarf Korean Lilacs are so popular is because of their hardiness. These plants can typically survive extreme weather very easily.
Also, compared to their regular-sized species, they are compact. If you lack space, they can grow well in wooden boxes or containers.
Create the right Soil
Lilacs can grow in a variety of soil, including clay, which is frustrating for many plants. However, it prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
You should add some compost and humus into the soil before planting. These materials help to retain moisture during drought periods.
Also, fertilizer gives vital nutrients to your bush that encourage growth and blossoming.
Water the tree properly
An average Dwarf Korean Lilac Tree needs about one inch of water each week. If you’re experiencing hot weather or extreme wind, the shrub may need to be water twice or three times a week.
The best way to determine is to touch the Soil. If it feels dry to the touch, it is time to water. During periods of drought, don’t water frequently, but very thoroughly when you do! Well-drained soil is crucial for the survival of your lilac.
They prefer not to have wet roots for long periods. You will have great success if you put it in a slightly elevated area or a hillside. The level ground needs to drain well because of their deep roots.
Fertilize the tree
All Korean Lilac Trees need to be fertilized to grow appropriately. You want to purchase a 10-10-10 formula.
All packages should have information on the side that indicates how much you should use based on the size of your particular shrub. You must apply the fertilizer in the spring before it starts the process of new growth.
The fertilizer will encourage blossoms and growth throughout the following months. You need to apply the fertilizer on the soil around the base of the tree. Once you have sprinkled it on the Soil, water the top two inches of Soil.
However, you shouldn’t be enthusiastic about fertilizing. Once established in its proper and permanent location, you only need to feed that one time. If you feed too many times, you can cause a lack of flowering, destroying the beautiful appeal of this shrub.
Weed around the lilac tree
To maintain the proper location and avoid diseases, you should keep a clean area around the base of your lilac tree. A thick layer of mulch helps to retain moisture and reduce the number of weeds overcrowding the tree. Two to four inches is ideal.
Prune as needed
To encourage your plant to grow and produce more flowers, you need to prune cut off all of the older flowers as they die off.
Pruning is an essential step for the growth and development of a Dwarf Korean Lilac Tree. You should prune it back by one-third after flowering.
The shape in which you prune the tree is entirely up to you. However, remember to remove all dead and dying branches. The following aspects have proven themselves in pruning:
- Annual pruning is usually not necessary
- If there is enough space, thin out only slightly after flowering
- Extreme pruning possible if there is not enough space in spring
- Drives well from the old wood
- Radical cut reinforces the next bloom
- Can also be grown as a standard tree
If two side buds that have already formed can remain after thawing after flowering, this will encourage further flower formation for the following year.
Diseases & pests
Due to its robust properties, diseases and pests do not play a particularly important role in care:
- Only susceptible to pest infestation and diseases if maintenance errors occur
- Water-logging leads to root rot
- A lack of nutrients leads to a weak immune system.
Conclusion
The dwarf lilac is particularly popular because of its lush and sweet-smelling flowers and offers the advantage of the smaller size compared to common lilacs. That is why this ornamental shrub fits even in small garden areas and can also be cultivated in a tub on balconies and terraces.
Besides, the flowering plant is not particularly demanding to care for and even forgives the gardener for short-term dry periods. It should be noted that a radical pruning will result in flowering in the following year.
Because of its excellent winter hardiness, the dwarf lilac can usually survive the winter months without problems and will bloom again in the next spring or at the beginning of summer.
If you want a lilac but don’t have a lot of space available, a Dwarf Korean Lilac Tree is a fantastic choice. Instead of reaching nine feet tall, you can expect a lovely, colorful bush four to five feet tall.
Luckily, their care is just as easy as a traditional species. If you plant this Dwarf Lilac in a sunny, well-draining location and water properly, you can expect your tree to blossom for years to come.