Lilacs (Asheville, Brevard, Murphy: buying, living, garden) - Western North Carolina - North Carolina (NC) -The Mountain Region including Asheville - City-Data Forum

K9 Kids and Me · 08-22-2011, 11:05 AM

Hello everyone,

I'm wondering if it is possible to grow lilacs anywhere in WNC? I've been looking into relocating/retiring to somewhere in NC in a few years. I'd like to be near Ashville. I grew up in NJ with a gigantic lilac bush in the yard and would love to live with one again.

Thanks!
K9 Kids and Me

theoldnorthstate · 08-22-2011, 04:21 PM

off hand i would say rhodies yes, lilacs no. but check the internet to know for sure

WNC-hiker · 08-22-2011, 05:33 PM

Why not Plant a Species Native to North America?

K9 Kids and Me · 08-22-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNC-hiker

Why not Plant a Species Native to North America?

I generally do plant local flora native to the particular area where I live, I just happen to love lilacs and would like to have one nearby.

What is the hardiness zone of WNC - I haven't been able to find a good map showing NC.

Thanks.

theoldnorthstate · 08-22-2011, 06:43 PM

suggest you keep looking for a better map.

I want to say the higher elevations are nordic? artic? Been awhile, but in the mountains it is a different terrain than in the valleys.

ButtercupMcToots · 08-22-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9 Kids and Me

I generally do plant local flora native to the particular area where I live, I just happen to love lilacs and would like to have one nearby.

What is the hardiness zone of WNC - I haven't been able to find a good map showing NC.

Thanks.

This guy lives in Brevard now. There are lilacs in Brevard. I'm a firm believer in native plants, but nothing smells like a lilac.

Mountain Growing - Lilac Syringa

motordavid · 08-23-2011, 05:43 AM

Yes, several friends grow varieties of lilacs, with success...though they are all at lower elevations than we are.
Most Zone maps are pretty vague, imo: I would suggest the Zones can range from 7b, (even 8a), to 5b/6a, all dependent upon elevation and micro climes.

Aha, I found a couple of vague links on NC Zones...as I guessed, 8a to 6, but I suspect 5b up 'here', in spots:

USDA Hardiness Zones

USDA North Carolina Planting Zone Map

North Carolina Interactive USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

And, the Garden Forum on CityData, has a good roster of knowledgeable posters, imo:
//www.city-data.com/forum/garden/

In a nutshell, yes to lilacs, as I assume you won't be living above 4,500 ft.
GL, mD

mountainrose · 08-24-2011, 10:53 AM

I called this nursery in Asheville for tree quotes and their web site shows they sell lilacs--shows pictures of them.
Nursery Plants and Landscape needs

mwh236 · 08-25-2011, 11:42 AM

I have lilacs in Murphy as do some of my neighbors.

young92 · 08-25-2011, 05:02 PM

You can grow lilacs but getting blooms is another thing. We've been told you need a good, cold winter to get a good bloom. So some years will be better than others. Jesse Israels and the like are good places to buy plants. Be careful when buying at the typical big box store. They are notorious for selling plants that don't work in our zone. We bought a crape myrtal at Lowes and it froze last year. Had to cut it back to the ground. We were told the variety that we got didn't do well in our zone. Other varieties will do better. But of course, Lowes doesn't sell those varieties.