Bloomerang (Syringa ‘Penda’), introduced in 2009, is a hybrid lilac variety that first blooms in spring, takes a short break, and then starts up again in summer into fall. Its flowers are a pretty shade of pale purple that deepens a bit during the second bloom. And while older lilacs can grow into large, gangling shrubs that top out around 10 feet tall, a Bloomerang lilac tree stays more compact at about four or five feet tall and wide.
Where to Grow Bloomerang Lilac
The Bloomerang lilac tree is hardy in Zones 3-7, so it 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 spot with fertile, well-drained soil and full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight per day). Buy It: Bloomerang Reblooming Lilac ($30, The Home Depot)
How to Grow Bloomerang Lilac
You can plant a Bloomerang lilac tree almost any time of the year besides winter, but planting in spring will allow you to enjoy it for the growing season. 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. This tree tends to grow upright with fountainlike, long branches that arch gracefully near the ends. Every branch on this reblooming lilac produces flowers, which makes for a gorgeous, fragrant display. Bloomerang is also resistant to common lilac diseases such as powdery mildew, and deer tend to leave it alone.
How to Prune Bloomerang Lilac
Bloomerang lilac reblooms on new growth, and light pruning and fertilizing encourage lots of that. Just after it flowers, Bloomerang should be lightly pruned. It can also be deadheaded, which allows the plant to focus its energy on growth instead of producing seeds. You can also use a fertilizer formulated specifically for woody plants to encourage Bloomerang to continue growing. Still, the plant will keep growing and reblooming even if you don’t prune or fertilize.
What to Plant with Bloomerang Lilac
There are two approaches for integrating companion plants with this reblooming lilac. First, pair it with perennials and shrubs that bloom along with the lilac flowers in early spring, such as bleeding heart, Solomon’s seal, Siberian iris, catmint, and azalea. Or, you can pair this reblooming lilac with shrubs and plants that flower when Bloomerang lilac is resting in midsummer. These include daylilies, Asiatic lilies, purple coneflower, and phlox, which spans the season. Good late-summer and fall-flowering companions include evening primrose, sedum, and mums. 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 and out, Bloomerang will provide you with some of the best lilac flowers you can grow.
