4 tricks to growing fragrant, lush lilacs

Is there a sweeter, more fragrant sign of early summer than lilac blossoms? It's no wonder they remain one of the most popular shrubs.

Lilacs have been garden favourites for 300 years, and with a range of colours from purest white to darkest purple and sizes from squat to towering, there is one for every landscape.

• The most common species, Syringa vulgaris, is the fragrant common lilac from southern Europe and is hardy in the coldest winter climates.
• In addition, numerous other species, including many from Asia, make excellent garden shrubs although few have the sweet fragrance of common lilac.

• If your site is wet, plant them in a mound so that surface water will drain off.

They also need five hours of sun daily and an occasional dose of lime to keep the soil neutral to slightly alkaline. Be patient; young lilacs need a few years to establish and produce maximum blooms.

• Clip plenty of bouquets for indoor arrangements — it will lessen deadheading chores, and you'll have fragrant flower clusters to scent the house.
• Smash the woody stem ends with a hammer, which helps cut lilacs take up more water.

Lilacs bloom on the previous year's wood, so also cut back the plants after blossoming ends to stimulate new growth.

• To rejuvenate an overgrown lilac, either cut the whole plant back to the ground or remove a third of the oldest stems each year over three years to promote new sprouts from the base.

Conscientious annual pruning makes drastic measures unnecessary.

Lilacs are prone to powdery mildew, which covers foliage with white fuzz in late summer.

• Prevent the problem by pruning to promote air circulation.
• Also keep shrubs away from walls and reduce stress by watering and fertilizing regularly.
• Dust affected areas with sulfur.