8. Lilac: The Nostalgic Spring Perfume
Traditionally, lilacs grew as massive, sprawling shrubs in sprawling country backyards, releasing a sweet, powdery fragrance that signaled the arrival of spring. Today, breeders have successfully introduced dwarf varieties specifically designed for small spaces.
Varieties such as Bloomerang or Miss Kim top out at just a few feet tall and happily live in large half-barrels or deep resin planters. Lilacs absolutely require a period of winter dormancy—a certain number of chill hours—to produce their heavily scented flowers the following spring.
Position your dwarf lilac in full sun, water it deeply at the base to avoid powdery mildew on the leaves, and prune it immediately after the spring flowers fade to ensure you do not accidentally cut off next year’s flower buds.
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