Why can't we plant lilacs down in texas?

It's harder than h _ _ _ _ to plant any flower in Texas! Either the soil is rock hard clay or the sun kills them right away. Unless you have a drip system on them all the time. Texas is one of the most colorless states I have ever been to and has little to offer. Btw, I've lived here thirty-five years....

Why can't we plant lilacs down in texas?
Not all plants can tolerate your climate zone. Lilacs do not do well in the heat. They require a dormant winter in order thrive. In hotter climates lilacs die from a dusty mildew and other parasite type things and there is nothing you can do about it.





Check this out for suggestions on your climate zone





http://www.permacult.com.au/plants/
Reply:Probably because you have poor soil. Buy some top soil, peat humus, compost and cow manure. Make yourself a good soil. Then try it.


It gets pretty hot here in Mo, so I really don't think it's the heat. They do well in full sun or even some afternoon shade.


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I just did a search maybe you can contact the link below....also see TEXAS LiLAC VITEX they must have their own Lilac?





http://www.gotexan.org/gt/channel/render...


Marigolds, nasturtiums, zinnias, hollyhocks and daylilies are among the favorites of butterflies. Also, a few of our very own Texas Superstars are popular with the butterfly population including, Gold Star Esperanza, Flare Perennial Hibiscus, Texas Lilac Vitex and Lord Baltimore Perennial Hibiscus.


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Texas co-op agriculture extension center/Texas A%26amp;M University link below. They are there for the asking.


http://www.plantanswers.com/duranta.htm


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Good Luck!
Reply:You can... but they won't be as lush and luxurious as those up north. Milkbone and others are right on track, it's too hot (and maybe too dry?).





There are some Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) that have been hybridized for warmer climates. They are grouped as *Descanso* hybrids. There is a list in "The Manual of Woody Landscape Plants", and some offered by Forest Farm nursery (catalogue).





One of the premiere horticulturists in studying Syringa is Father Fiala. I know the late Father published a book on Syringa, that is available through most major book dealers, I myself don't own it (I do own his Crabapple book), so I'm not sure of the title, but very sure about the author.





I hope that this helps


Good luck
Reply:Sometimes you just have to substitute or get as close as you can when living where your favorite plant doesn't much like the conditions. As to why lilacs don't do well, the heat is probably the biggest factor; and I would say lack of cold lows in most winters, more than the summer highs, are the culprit. In addition, Powdery Mildew is quite a challenge on lilacs in summertime in warm climates. There are three plants that love Texas that you can use as "sustitutes": Crape Myrtles are available in many colors like lilacs, and have lilac-like panicles. Butterfly Bushes have a similar flower color and shape. And Vitex agnus-castus, the Lilac Chaste-Tree is very beautiful and loves Texas. In the warner parts of Texas (Zone 8B I would say) there is a beautiful evergreen treeform shrub called Texas Mountain Laurel, (Sophora secundiflora). It has true purple wisteria-like clusters that smell like grapes - mmm.


If you just have to have a true lilac, experiment with Syringa persica, the Persian Lilac; or the regular lilac cultival known as 'Lavender Lady', or Syringa patula 'Miss Kim'. All three supposedly take more heat, Summer and winter, than the typical lilacs like Mr. President, etc. But be warned, there are reasons why nobody is selling them!
Reply:It's too bloody hot here! They like a cooler climate.



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