March 2022 - 14

MARKETING
Celebrating a
Garden Classic -
Lilac
The National Garden Bureau has declared 2022 as Year of the Lilac
in the shrub category. This month we take a look at how this crop has
evolved over the years and where it is headed in the future.
BY JASMINA DOLCE
Syringa 'Baby Kim'
Spring Meadow Nursery
L
ilacs have an everlasting appeal that
consumers have loved for generations.
They appeal to multiple senses with their
beautiful colors and unforgettable fragrances.
And the category continues to evolve as
breeders have been working diligently to
enhance many of the variety's traits including
its form, size, color, " bloomability, " and scent.
This month, we talked to several industry
experts to get their take on this garden classic.
Read on to learn what they had to say.
GPN: The National Garden Bureau has
declared 2022 the Year of the Lilac in its shrub
category. In your opinion, why do you think
lilac was selected this year?
Debbie Lonnee, product development
manager, Bailey Nurseries: It is a classic shrub
or small tree that has never lost its appeal over
the years. Truly one of the best spring blooming
shrubs with great color and fragrance that
reminds many of their grandmother's garden.
Natalie Carmolli, media and public relations
specialist, Spring Meadow Nursery: Everyone
loves lilacs! There is nothing quite like the
look and scent of lilacs. They are a staple
of northern gardens, and although they are
considered an old-fashioned shrub, there
14 MARCH 2022 GPNMAG.COM
have been many modern adaptations to this
classic plant. The newer cultivars make the
already diverse Syringa category even more
interesting and accessible.
GPN: How long has your company been
involved in the breeding and introduction of
lilac varieties, and what has been your role in
their development?
Tim Wood, product development and
marketing manager, Spring Meadow Nursery:
We've been breeding Syringa (lilac) for over
17 years, with our early goal to improve on
the smaller, shrubbier forms such as Syringa
pubescens subsp. patula 'Miss Kim' and
Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'. The goal was to
improve the foliage, branching habit and to
improve on their pale flower colors. Our major
breeding accomplishment was to integrate
stronger reblooming into these plants, which
resulted in our Bloomerang series. The flower
colors are richer but they rebloom in mid to late
summer and often right up until frost.
Lonnee: Many years ago we introduced the
Fairytale series of lilacs, bred by Neal Holland
of Sheyenne Gardens in North Dakota. Since
then, we have bred our own varieties, including
'First Editions Virtual Violet', developed by Don
Syringa 'First Editions Snowdance'
Bailey Nurseries
Selinger, longtime Bailey employee (now retired)
and have worked with breeders, such as Wilbert
Ronald of Jeffries Nursery in Canada, on newer
hybrids. We have recently introduced 'Little
Lady' lilac, a compact 'Miss Kim' type, as well as
a lovely Preston hybrid called 'Pinktini', which is
also a small, compact, yet upright variety. Both
of these are in our First Editions program.
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
March 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2022
