Choose a Lilac Shrub for a Touch of Purple in Your Garden

Unlike many of the other popular varieties of shrub found throughout the world, the lilac shrub only has a few distinct species. This does not mean that the lilac is boring, as it certainly is not. Its flowers are so distinct that a whole new color was named for their lilac hue (although there are now white and pink variations), making the lilac shrub its own special breed.

Known in some parts of the world as a pipe tree, the lilac comes in either bush or tree form and each of its branches and shoots are hollow like a pipe which gives the lilac shrub a distinction among its contemporaries. The lilac is native to Europe although there are several varieties which have people believe to have originated in Asia. You can find the lilac shrub in a variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from the smallest at around two meters to the largest tree at over ten meters. Also, unlike some other shrubs, the lilac is only found in deciduous form and currently has no species which is evergreen.

Many of the lilac shrub species flower in the springtime after a month or so of warmer temperatures and nearly any lilac can grow best in the temperate regions of the world, with climates much like those found in central Europe. 

The lilac shrub is a popular type of flora to put into your garden due to its unique look in comparison to other shrubs. While there are only a handful of different species of lilac, various plant geneticists (notably in France) have developed some interesting hybrids, some of which even contain twice as many flowering branches. They are an easy to grow type of plant, and many of the lilac shrub species do not need regular pruning or fertilizer feedings. In fact, if you choose to prune your plant, you will find it will not produce any flowers, as all of its energy goes to replacing the cut off branches. While lilacs are a hearty species of plant, they are prone to a number of diseases, mostly caused by placing them in areas with poor air circulation.