Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly'

Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' is a beautiful lilac with wonderfully fragrant purple flowers. This ornamental shrub grows into a large bush or small tree with an oval crown and prefers to grow in full sun. The flowers bloom in April and May and attract butterflies and bees. With its maximum height of approximately 3 meters, the 'Charles Joly' is suitable for both small and large gardens. Whether you want to beautify a park, garden or border, the Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' adds color and fragrance to any outdoor space.

The Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' likes a sip of water

The Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' has a moderate water requirement. It is important to keep the soil moist, but not soaked. Make sure the plant gets enough water, especially during dry periods, but avoid stagnant water around the roots to prevent root rot. It is advisable to only water the plant when the top layer of soil dries out. In summer it may be necessary to give extra water regularly, while in winter the water requirement is less. Check the moisture of the soil regularly by feeling if it is still moist. By finding the right balance in water care, the Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' can grow and flower optimally.

Summer

During the summer it is very important that this plant, when it is outside, is kept well moist. Especially during the warm days it should be watered every day, so that the root ball is well moist. On the less warm days this can sometimes be skipped for a few days. This is so important because otherwise the plant 'drinks' moisture from its leaves, causing it to become dry and eventually die. This should of course be prevented.

Winter

When winter is upon us, the rules are reversed! If the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' is outside, it must remain dry so that the moisture does not freeze and damage the plant. The Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' does not suffer from a dry root ball during this period, it is in a kind of hibernation!
When the plant is kept indoors during the winter it should be kept slightly moist, so not soaking wet (as in summer), but just so that the root ball feels slightly damp.

General rules

In addition to the above guidelines, it is best to follow these rules:

First, give the plant a little water. If the soil is dry within 2 days, it means it needs a little more water. Adjust the amount of water until it still feels slightly moist between 2 and 5 days after watering, and almost dry after 5 days. If it feels very wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and water again, but reduce the amount.

Spraying

We recommend that you spray the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' weekly with water. However, we do not recommend this during warm summer days, so that you do it either in the evening after sunset, or on days when the sun shines little, because the water droplets bundle the incoming sunlight into small points that become very hot. These cause the leaves to dry out, or even burn through.
Apart from the detrimental effect of bright sunlight on wet leaves, misting has beneficial effects for your Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' . Namely, it removes dust from the leaves, allowing them to better absorb sunlight and look more beautiful, and it prevents certain types of pests.

Where is the best place to plant the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly'?

Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' thrives in a sunny location in fertile, well-drained soil. This beautiful ornamental shrub requires about six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to grow vigorously and flower profusely. A sunny location will encourage flowering and ensure lush growth. The plant is hardy and thrives in moderate temperatures. Make sure the soil remains moist, but avoid overwatering. Good humidity helps keep the plant healthy and flowering as intended. With the right care and the ideal location, Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' will be a beautiful addition to any garden.

Light

The Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' is a plant that likes a fair amount of sunlight. It likes to be in full sun or half shade, taking in all the light. Is it indoors? Then it wants a spot near a window or where there is some light. The Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' requires at least 1 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day

Wind

Make sure that the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' experiences as little wind as possible. Wind can damage the leaves, causing them to die off more quickly. A little wind is no problem.

Temperature requirements

During the day minimum -18 ℃
At night minimum -18 ℃

Repotting, why and when?

It is advisable to repot the Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' every few years, especially when the plant is well rooted and growth stagnates. You can check this by carefully removing the root ball from the pot and checking whether the roots have filled the entire soil. If this is the case, it is time to repot the plant in a larger pot. In addition, repotting may be necessary if the soil becomes too compact, which means that the nutrients can no longer be absorbed properly. When repotting, choose a pot that is at least 20% larger than the current pot, and fill it with fresh potting soil. In this way, the Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' can grow and flower optimally again.

General rules

When the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' has taken root (often every 2-3 years) we recommend repotting it in the spring. If it is always inside, it does not matter. If it is outside, it is not a problem to repot it in the summer, but we advise against it in the autumn and winter, because it will not grow and take root optimally. This can make it somewhat weak, and it may suffer damage from frost.

When you choose to repot your Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly', choose a nice pot that is twice the size of the root ball. Place a layer of hydro grains at the bottom of the new pot, for better moisture control. It will thank you for that. Fill this layer with some Mediterranean potting soil. This type of soil ensures that the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' roots optimally and is fed. Then you can place the root ball on the ground. Make sure that the top of the root ball is slightly below the edge of the pot. Aim for a difference of 2 to 6 cm. This difference ensures that the water does not run off the root ball when you water it.
Every year you should replace the top layer of soil, because it hardens and 'wears out' in nutrients, due to regular watering and because of the sunlight on the upper edge of the root ball.

Provide the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' with good nutrition

The Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' has specific nutritional requirements to grow healthily and flower abundantly. It is important to provide the plant with nutritious soil that is well-drained. A soil test can help to identify the pH level and any nutrient deficiencies. A balanced fertilizer with a low nitrogen content and a higher phosphorus and potassium content is ideal for the Lilac. This can be applied in early spring according to the instructions on the packaging. Once a year is sufficient, as over-fertilization can be harmful to the plant. In addition, it is advisable to apply a layer of compost to the base of the plant and cover the soil surface with 2 to 4 cm of compost to keep the soil moist and prevent weed growth. Also make sure that the plant gets enough sunlight, as this is essential for healthy growth and flowering.

When the leaves change color

The leaves can get black leaf tips. This can mean that too much water has been released. Brown or yellow leaves can mean that too little water is being released. We then recommend checking this and possibly adjusting the watering. We also recommend making the plant a bit more beautiful by simply cutting off the ugly tips with scissors.

It is also possible that the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' has been moved from a place with a lot/little light to a place with a different amount of light. This can also cause the leaves to discolour. The new leaves will be more resistant to direct sunlight.

How and when should you prune the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly'?

The leaves of the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' will eventually wither. If this is the case with a leaf, you can simply cut the stem near the trunk. It is not a problem to cut off an entire leaf with the stem of the plant. This is the way the plant forms its trunk.

How can I propagate the Lilac - Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly'?

Propagation of the Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' is best done by means of cuttings. Take semi-hard cuttings of about 10-15 cm long from healthy, young shoots in the summer. Remove the lower leaves and place the cuttings in moist potting soil. Place the pot in a light, warm place and keep the soil constantly moist. After a few weeks the cuttings will form roots and can be transplanted into larger pots or into the open ground. Sowing seeds is also possible, but this takes longer for the plants to mature and flower. Propagating the Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' by means of cuttings is therefore the most efficient method.