View Single Post
  #1   Report Post  
Old 12-02-2008, 09:25 PM posted to rec.gardens
John M. Gamble John M. Gamble is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Nov 2006
Posts: 20
Default Dwarf Lilac Decision

I am getting ready to order a dwarf lilac (has to be dwarf because it
cannot be allowed to block a window). Since I already have a dwarf
lilac "Miss Kim", I thought I'd go with a native lilac. Until a
few weeks ago, I thought the only native dwarf lilac around was
"Prairie Petite". But looking in the Jung catalogue I find
another one listed, "Dwarf Wonderblue".

Decisions, decisions.

Prairie Petite is described by Jung as having lavender fragrant
flowers, extremely hardy (developed at the University of Nebraska)
of both heat and cold. Height is 3 to 4 foot.

Dwarf Wonderblue has no glowing descriptions of its hardiness
(but it may be a new variety), is described as having lavender
buds and sky-blue flower. No mention of fragrance. It was
developed by Father John Fiala, whom Google tells me was a
prolific lilac breeder and wrote a book on the subject. Height
is 4 to 5 foot.

Getting them both is not an option right now (and even if I were
to get a second one later, it would be in a much less prominent
spot). Does anyone have any experience with either variety?
Anything you would feel that a potential buyer should know?

Thanks.

--
-john

February 28 1997: Last day libraries could order catalogue cards
from the Library of Congress.