Josee Lilac

When I first came across this little beauty, I thought that I should dig up the lilac I have and plant this one instead.  The nursery that put in our landscaping didn’t give me a real detailed layout.  It said something like this:

• Cherry Tree (we have a Kwanzan Cherry)
• Roses (at the time they were Julia Child – that’s another story)
• Crape Myrtle (we have Razzle Dazzles – had to push for this information)
• Liriope (this one was sufficient)
• Holly (we have China Girl – first berries are appearing this year!)
• Balloon Flowers (again, sufficient)
• Dwarf Lilac

There are a zillion varieties of lilac out there, even in the dwarf category.  After this weekend, I’m starting to wonder if we actually do have a Josee Lilac.  The

 

Josee Lilac was the first REBLOOMING lilac I had ever come across.  That the thing about lilacs, when they bloom, they are gorgeous!  After a week or two, the blooms fade and you are left with a pretty shrub, but no more flowers – until the next spring.

 

Anyway, so I was shocked this weekend when I saw blooms out on my lilac bush.  It’s July!!!!

 

 

Category	Deciduous Shrub
Common Name	Josee Reblooming Lilac
Formal Name	Syringa Josee
Description	This dwarf lilac is a gorgeous rebloomer.  It will put out 4” – 5” shoots filled with trumpet shaped flowers intermittently summer through fall.  A perfect hedge or stand alone shrub worth looking at.

 

The first picture is a stock photo of a Josee Lilac. The second picture is of my lilac.

Uses	Hedge Stand Alone Border (along side of house would be good)
Light Requirements	Full Sun
Soil Requirements	Well drained
Water Requirements	Average watering needs
Height	4’ – 6’
Spread	4’ – 5’
Growing Zone	2 - 9
Manicuring or Pruning	For shape – I’d let it go natural by only pruning the wild branches.  As with all lilacs, only prune right after flowering as the seeds form on old wood.  If you prune them much later, you could cut off next year’s flowers. That said, lilacs have to be pruned occasionally in order to promote blooming at all.  If the wood gets too old, it won’t bloom.  It’s a delicate balance.  It has been suggested that you prune about a third of the branches down to the ground each year for three years.  In theory, you would be removing the oldest branches each year and thus at the end of three years, would have a completely regenerated plant.  This will promote the best chance at flowering each year.
Fertilization	They don’t need much, but use something low in nitrogen.  Nitrogen is good for foliage, but not as much for blooming.
Growth Cycle	Moderate to fast growth
Bloom Time	Summer through frost – intermittent
Bloom Color	Lavenderish-pink
Propagation	Just buy one at a nursery or one the sources below. Softwood cuttings are another option
Maintenance Level	Low
Special Features	Deer Resistant Attracts Butterflies
Known Issues	This is a hybrid so it is most likely bred to resist most diseases.  It can be susceptible to a powdery mildew – generally if it gets too much water.
Planting Instructions	Plant in the spring or fall about 5’ apart.  Dig a hole as deep as and twice as wide as the root ball.  After placing the plant, back-fill about halfway with soil.  Water well to remove any air pockets.  After water has drained, finish filling in, and water again.