Lilac, Ludwig Spaeth Syringa vulgaris 'Ludwig Spaeth' Height: 12 feet Spread: 8 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 2a Other Names: Common Lilac Group/Class: French Hybrid Lilac Description: This classic spring blooming lilac features potently fragrant reddish-purple flowers in upright panicles; upright, multi-stemmed habit, very hardy, tends to sucker, ideal for screening; full sun and well-drained soil, allow room for air movement Ornamental Features Lilac, Ludwig Spaeth features showy panicles of fragrant purple flowers rising above the foliage in mid spring, which emerge from distinctive violet flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has bluish-green deciduous foliage. The heart-shaped leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. Landscape Attributes Lilac, Ludwig Spaeth is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration; Lilac, Ludwig Spaeth is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Lilac, Ludwig Spaeth will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. To help this plant achive its best flowering performance, periodically apply a flower-boosting fertilizer from early spring through into the active growing season. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. Special Attributes Prune within 2 weeks after blooming is done, so you will get flowers next year.
