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I have got two lilacs growing in my back garden and as much as I love them, their flowering season is rather short. I was looking for ways to add a bit of interest to them and read that you can train climbers up them that flower throughout the rest of the summer etc. My question is: do I need to wait until the lilacs have reached their growing height or can I add climbers now (the lilacs are both roughly 5 and a half to 6 feet tall, planted 3 years ago)?
I have got two lilacs growing in my back garden and as much as I love them, their flowering season is rather short. I was looking for ways to add a bit of interest to them and read that you can train climbers up them that flower throughout the rest of the summer etc. My question is: do I need to wait until the lilacs have reached their growing height or can I add climbers now (the lilacs are both roughly 5 and a half to 6 feet tall, planted 3 years ago)?
Think about adding a Clematis, there are numerous varieties and they vary in their growth, and vary in their flowering times, spring, summer etc, I think I read somewhere there is one that keeps going into winter, as your trees are only about 6ft in height, you could possibly start off with a dwarf clematis?
Should you go down the clematis route, the norm is to plant with the compost in the pot level with the garden soil, with clematis plant these deeper, and a distance away from your Lilac, you don't want the two plants roots fighting over moisture.
So go for it.
Bob
Hi Jess,
Think about adding a Clematis, there are numerous varieties and they vary in their growth, and vary in their flowering times, spring, summer etc, I think I read somewhere there is one that keeps going into winter, as your trees are only about 6ft in height, you could possibly start off with a dwarf clematis?
Should you go down the clematis route, the norm is to plant with the compost in the pot level with the garden soil, with clematis plant these deeper, and a distance away from your Lilac, you don't want the two plants roots fighting over moisture.
Thank you so much for your advice, I'm happy to know I can add some interest to the lilacs now and not later. I'm going to hunt for some long-flowering clematis next time I'm out plant shopping, and I'll be sure to plant them as per your instructions.
Jess
Hi Bob,
Thank you so much for your advice, I'm happy to know I can add some interest to the lilacs now and not later. I'm going to hunt for some long-flowering clematis next time I'm out plant shopping, and I'll be sure to plant them as per your instructions.
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