Lilacs are grown for many reasons, including blooms that attract butterflies, sweet fragrances, and easy care in the garden. Most lilacs, hardy in Zones 3-7, will flower just once a year (usually in the spring). But why settle for only one chance to enjoy lilac blooms when you could grow a variety that blooms again later in the season?
Bloomerang (Syringa 'Penda'), introduced in 2009, is a hybrid lilac variety that blooms in spring, takes a short break, and then starts up again in summer into fall. Its flowers are a pale purple that deepens during the second bloom. And while older lilacs can grow into large, gangling shrubs that top out around 10 feet tall, a Bloomerang lilac stays more compact at about four or five feet tall and wide.
Where to Plant Bloomerang Lilac
Bloomerang lilac will thrive in very cold climates. It's trickier to grow them successfully in warmer areas because these plants need exposure to cold temperatures to bloom well. Give it a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil and a pH of no less than 6.5 (lilac does not do well in acidic soil).
This lilac tends to grow upright with fountainlike, long branches that arch gracefully near the ends. With its relatively compact size, it even fits in smaller spaces where other lilacs wouldn’t.
Buy It: Bloomerang Reblooming Lilac (The Home Depot)
How and When to Plant Bloomerang Lilac
You can plant a Bloomerang lilac almost any time of the year besides winter, but planting in spring will allow you to enjoy it for the growing season. Dig a hole 2 to 3 times as wide as the nursery container but with the same depth. Place the root ball in the hole and backfill it with soil. Tamp down the soil and water immediately and deeply.
Good air circulation helps to prevent powdery mildew, a common lilac disease. Space the shrubs at least 5 to 6 feet apart from each other and other plants.
Bloomerang Lilac Care Tips
Light
Bloomerang lilac needs full sun to thrive—at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Soil and Water
The soil should be fertile and rich in organic matter. Lilacs need well-drained soil; they do poorly in soggy, wet conditions.
After planting, the shrub needs regular watering during the first growing season. Once it is established, it can manage short periods of dry weather, but ideally, it should get at least 1 inch of water weekly, so in the absence of rain, you need to water it.
Temperature and Humidity
Like most lilacs, Bloomerang is a cold-hardy shrub that needs an extended period of cold weather to bloom. That’s why it is not suited for warm climates with mild winters. Subzero winters, on the other hand, are not a problem. Bloomerang lilac can be grown down to zone 3.
Bloomerang lilac can tolerate moderate humidity, but hot, humid summer weather can slow down its reblooming.
Fertilizer
If planted in fertile soil, Bloomerang lilac does not need much fertilizer. You can give it a balanced slow-release fertilizer in the early spring after the ground is no longer frozen and reapply the fertilizer after the first bloom in the late spring. For the amount to use, follow the product label recommendations for each application.
Pruning
You don’t need to prune Bloomerang lilac to make it rebloom. Because of its fairly small size, this lilac does not require regular pruning, but if you feel it needs some reshaping, give it a light pruning after it blooms in the spring. To avoid removing the flower buds, do not cut it back in the fall, winter, or early spring before the bloom. Bloomerang lilacs bloom both on old wood (the previous year’s growth) and new wood (the current season’s growth). Dead, diseased, and broken stems can be removed at any time.
Potting and Repotting Bloomerang Lilac
Bloomerang is an exceptional lilac not only because of its repeated bloom but also because it can be grown in containers—most other lilacs are too large for that. Choose a container that is at least 18 to 24 inches in diameter and with large drainage holes. The container should be of a heavy material (terra cotta or glazed ceramic), so it does not topple over. Fill it with a mixture of well-draining potting mix and compost, and water it frequently, as the soil dries out much faster than garden soil.
One caveat about growing lilac in containers is that the roots are exposed to winter cold and freeze-and-thaw cycles (which can also cause the container to crack), both of which can damage the plant. To overwinter your potted Bloomerang, you must insulate the container by wrapping it in burlap, bubble wrap, or old blankets.
Once the roots have filled the container, the lilac needs to be repotted in a new container at least 5 inches larger and with fresh potting mix and compost.
Pests and Problems
Bloomerang is resistant to common lilac diseases such as powdery mildew, and deer tend to leave it alone.
How to Propagate Bloomerang Lilac
Bloomerang lilac is a registered trademark that is prohibited from being propagated in any form. Read the explanation why it is illegal to propagate.
Bloomerang Lilac Companion Plants
Pair Bloomerang lilac with these plants for simultaneous blooms that will add color and interest to your garden:
Bleeding Heart
A classic cottage garden staple, bleeding heart (Dicentra) has long been a favorite in perennial gardens. This plant, with its heart-shaped pink or white blooms, is a favorite among gardeners for its quick growth in early spring and long stems of pendulous flowers.
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's seal is an elegant shade plant with gently arching stems, dangling creamy bells, and green foliage that turns golden in fall. It's easy to grow in zones 3-9 and adds height and grace to shaded gardens each spring. Solomon's seal will slowly colonize—even in tough areas where shallow tree roots rob moisture and nutrients.
Siberian Iris
Spring-blooming Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) in shades of blue, purple, white, and yellow makes a pretty companion for Eastern bluestar. This iris is also deer-resistant so it's a good choice for areas where these animals roam.
Catmint
CARSON DOWNING
Catmint (Nepeta spp.) is one of the toughest perennials you can grow. It's a proven performer during hot, dry weather, and the silvery foliage and blue flowers look fresh, even through droughts. Deadhead or cut back hard after first flush of bloom to encourage more flowers, which are magnets for all sorts of pollinators. Zones 3-9
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Bloomerang lilac make good cut flowers?Bloomerang lilac's reputation as a reliable rebloomer with nearly one-of-a-kind color has held up for over a decade, so you can plant it in your garden confidently. Like other lilac varieties, its blooms also work well as cut flowers, keeping a vase stocked with fragrant blooms for months during the growing season. So whether you enjoy it indoors or outdoors, Bloomerang will provide you with some of the best lilac flowers you can grow.
Bloomerang lilac's reputation as a reliable rebloomer with nearly one-of-a-kind color has held up for over a decade, so you can plant it in your garden confidently. Like other lilac varieties, its blooms also work well as cut flowers, keeping a vase stocked with fragrant blooms for months during the growing season. So whether you enjoy it indoors or outdoors, Bloomerang will provide you with some of the best lilac flowers you can grow.
- When does Bloomerang lilac bloom?It usually produces its first flowers in mid-May. It rests in June, starts reblooming in July, and continues until the first frost. The two blooming seasons produce different size panicles (clusters of flowers). The summer and fall flowers usually aren't as big as the spring blooms, but they'll still bring beauty to your garden.
It usually produces its first flowers in mid-May. It rests in June, starts reblooming in July, and continues until the first frost. The two blooming seasons produce different size panicles (clusters of flowers). The summer and fall flowers usually aren't as big as the spring blooms, but they'll still bring beauty to your garden.