Lilacs are a popular and beloved spring-blooming flower, known for their beautiful colors and sweet fragrance. The most common color of lilacs is purple, leading many people to assume that all lilacs are purple. However, lilacs actually come in a diverse range of colors beyond just purple. While purple lilacs may be the most iconic, lilacs can also be found in shades of white, pink, magenta, blue, and more. The variability in lilac color is related to pigmentation, genetics, and cultivars. Read on to learn more about the different colors of lilacs and why they aren’t always purple.
What Determines Lilac Color?
The color of lilacs is primarily determined by three factors:
Anthocyanin pigments – The purple, magenta, pink, and blue shades seen in lilacs are produced by anthocyanin pigments. These water-soluble pigments are also responsible for the colors of many other flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The specific anthocyanins present and their concentration affects the resulting color.
Genetics – Genetics plays a key role in determining which pigments are produced and at what levels. Color in lilacs is controlled by several genes that regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation. The interaction of these genes contributes to the wide spectrum of colors.
Cultivars – Hundreds of cultivars of lilacs have been bred, and many have been selected for their distinctive flower colors. Breeders have produced cultivars ranging from classic purple to unique shades like blue, pink, and magenta. The genetic backgrounds of cultivars control their pigmentation.
While the purple lilac may be the archetype that comes to mind for most people, breeders have produced a veritable rainbow of lilac varieties. Next we’ll take a closer look at the range of colors lilacs can display.
The Color Spectrum of Lilacs
Here is an overview of the diverse colors that lilacs can produce:
Purple – Purple is undoubtedly the most common and iconic lilac color. The classic lilac shade is a light purple with hints of blue, produced by anthocyanins like malvidin. Some cultivars have deeper, richer purple blooms.
White – Pure white lilacs lack anthocyanin pigments entirely. Popular white cultivars include ‘Madame Lemoine’ and ‘Miss Kim’.
Pink – From pale blush pink to fuchsia, pink lilacs get their color primarily from cyanidin pigments. Magenta pink shades may also contain malvidin.
Blue – Blue lilacs are rare, with pigments like delphinidin contributing to their unique cool-toned color. ‘Blue Skies’ and ‘Sensation’ are two prized blue-hued cultivars.
Magenta – Striking magenta blooms contain high levels of malvidin and other pigments. ‘Red Pixie’ and ‘Miss Canada’ are two examples of vivid magenta lilacs.
Lavender – Subtly distinct from classic purple, lavender lilacs have a soft, lighter look from lower anthocyanin levels. Popular lavender varieties include ‘Sugar Lace’ and ‘Angel White’.
Bicolor – Some lilacs like ‘Primrose’ produce flowers with more than one color on the same bloom, often white and purple.
This broad palette means lilacs can fit into almost any color scheme in the garden. Next we’ll look at some of the stunning multi-colored varieties in more detail.
Noteworthy Multicolored Cultivars
While single-colored lilacs have their appeal, many gardeners are drawn to the visual drama of multi-toned varieties. Here are some lilacs with particularly striking and unique color patterns:
‘Sensation’ – One of the few genuine blue lilacs, ‘Sensation’ has purple-blue flowers edged in white for a cool and elegant look. It blooms in mid to late spring.
‘Sugar Lace’ – Delicate cream-colored blossoms mature to lavender, resulting in two-toned panicles. Its long bloom period provides weeks of enjoyment.
‘Miss Canada’ – Vibrant pinkish-magenta flowers with white margins make ‘Miss Canada’ glow in the landscape. It has an upright, vase-shaped form.
‘Pink Charm’ – Starting deep pink and fading to pale pink, each flower displays a gradient of pink hues at once for added interest.
‘Red Pixie’ – Compact in size but bold in color, ‘Red Pixie’ has intensely saturated raspberry-red flowers beginning in late spring.
‘Cote d’Azur’ – Blooming from lavender buds to soft blue flowers creates a lovely ombre effect on each panicle.
‘Sensational’ – Clusters open white before maturing to purple-magenta, delivering two distinct colors on one shrub.
With all these choices available, gardeners no longer have to settle for plain old purple lilacs. Let’s examine why such a wide palette developed.
The History Behind Lilac Color Diversity
So how did lilacs go from just purple to the broad spectrum seen today? The answer lies in centuries of breeding:
– Lilacs originated from several species native to Eastern Europe and East Asia. These wild lilacs were primarily light purple.
– In the 1700s, early breeding work in Europe began expanding lilac color to include deeper purples and magentas. White lilacs also appeared.
– In the 1800s, the first pink lilacs were bred in England. French breeders also developed the iconic pale ‘French lilacs’.
– Blue lilacs arose from mutations and crossbreeding work in the early to mid 1900s. Rarer colors like lavender and blush tones also emerged.
– Intensive hybridization efforts in the 1900s yielded many modern cultivars with striking multi-colored blooms.
– Modern breeders continue to select and improve lilacs for unique color combinations using traditional and genetic engineering techniques.
Over hundreds of years, generations of breeders have transformed lilacs from a single purple species into a multifaceted group of cultivars. This active breeding continues today as new color variations are developed.
Growing Different Colored Lilacs
If you’re looking to grow lilacs, you’re no longer restricted to just purple. Here are a few tips for successfully cultivating multi-hued lilacs:
– Choose cultivars suited to your region’s growing conditions. Consult local resources for recommendations.
– Plant in full sun for optimal blooming. Provide good drainage and ample airflow.
– Prune every year after flowering to maintain shape and vigor. Remove faded blooms to encourage more buds.
– Water during dry periods for lush growth. Apply mulch around the base to conserve moisture.
– Apply fertilizer or compost in early spring to support flowering. Avoid high nitrogen products that promote foliage over blooms.
– Protect plants from pests and diseases. Common issues include powdery mildew, borers, and root rot.
– Propagate cultivars from cuttings to clone individual colors. Consult propagation guides for details.
With proper selection, care, and maintenance, your landscape can boast a rainbow of lilac colors. Read on for tips on how to use different lilac colors for unique designs.
Designing With Multicolored Lilacs
The diverse palette of lilac blooms allows for tremendous creativity in garden design. Here are some ideas for using various colors for stunning effect:
– Create a linear rainbow hedge or border using sequence of red, pink, purple, blue and white cultivars.
– Complement purple and blue lilacs by interplanting with yellow flowering shrubs and bulbs.
– Use white lilacs as elegant standalone specimens or as anchor plants for colorful combinations.
– Contrast bright pink blooms against dark green foliage plants like boxwood hedges.
– Plant in drifts of one cultivar for bold swaths of color. Or mix multiple colors together for a patched effect.
– Pair magenta and purple lilacs with white and silver foliage plants like artemisia for added pop.
– Allow different cultivars to mingle and intertwine for a relaxed cottage garden look over time.
– Feature rare colored specimens like blue or bicolor lilacs prominently in prime focal point locations.
With some planning, lilacs can be used to create stunning perspectives and color harmonies. They can shine as single accent plants or combine in dazzling plantings.
Common Questions About Lilac Colors
If you’re new to the wide range of lilac colors, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Are white lilacs natural?
Yes, white lilacs occur naturally as a genetic color variant. Popular white cultivars include ‘Madame Lemoine’ and ‘Marie Finon’.
How do you get blue lilacs?
Blue lilacs are rare and prized. Their distinctive color results from higher delphinidin pigments. ‘Blue Skies’ and ‘Sensation’ are two sought-after blue cultivars.
Can you get black or green lilacs?
There are no truly black or green lilacs. The darkest shades are deep purples and burgundies, sometimes marketed as “black.” Green does not occur naturally in lilacs due to their pigment chemistry.
Why are my lilac blooms lighter than expected?
Faded or lighter blooms can result from too much sunlight, age of the bloom, or soil nutrient deficiencies. Insufficient water and pruning can also cause lighter blooms.
Will lilac seedlings have the same color as the parent?
Not necessarily. Seedlings will have unique genetics and can exhibit different colors than the parent plant. To preserve a color, propagate from cuttings instead of seed.
The genetics and chemistry behind lilac color diversity is fascinating. Next we’ll wrap up with some key takeaways.
Conclusion
In summary:
– Lilacs naturally occur in a range of colors beyond just purple, including white, pink, magenta, lavender, and blue shades.
– Color is controlled by pigment production regulated by genetic factors. Hundreds of cultivars offer unique colors.
– Centuries of breeding have greatly expanded the lilac color palette available today.
– With proper selection and care, multicolored lilacs can be incorporated into dazzling garden designs.
So if you’ve only experienced traditional purple lilacs, make sure to explore the many other colors now available! The next time you see these spring bloomers, you’ll know that lilacs can display a whole rainbow of stunning hues.