lilac trees

[HarleyCookie]

We are going to move to central florida and would like to know if lilac trees grow there? The town we are moving to is called Old Town, Florida 32680. Thank You.

[Clanad]

Lilacs are not suited to south Florida. They cannot tolerate the prolonged heat and humidity of the summer. Lilacs also must have an extended cold season to thrive. They grow as far south as the mountains of South Carolina and Georgia. They are very cold tolerant and are hardy quite far north to Canada. Use great caution in ordering from mail order sources.  Most mail order nurseries serve wide areas of the country and have few things geared for that area.  

 Best of Luck though!

[Newt]

Hi Harley, Actually, lilacs will grow in zones as warm as 9B. http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Oleaceae/Syringa_vulg aris.html According to the zip code you supplied, that will be zone 8 to 9. It may not bloom as well as a more northern zone, but should still be ok for you in full sun. http://www.arborday.org/TreeInfo/ZoneInfo.cfm?ZipCode=32680& submit=Look+it+up%21 Here's the main page to find your zone. http://www.arborday.org/trees/whatzone.html Since this forum you have written to is in the UK, I would suggest that you visit something a little more 'local'. Here's Garden Web's site for 'Florida Gardening' for more local info. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/flgard/ Good luck in your new home! Newt

[Drewhound]

Just a question from a Brit. I live in about zone 10a and lilacs really thrive here so mild winters are no problem. However we have mild fairly damp summers which is obviously very different to Florida.

 

 So who's right? BTW I've a friend living in Florida and I've just mailed her, I'll let you now what she says

[Newt]

Hi Drewhound, Looking at the temps from zone 10a and 9b there is an overlap of a low of 30*F or -1*C so they would be ok in your zone. http://www.marblenet.es/pjse/mapuse.htm I don't think that plants read the literature from 'experts' so they kinda do what makes them happy. :-)

[Drewhound]

Thanks for that map Newt. I don't think it's madly accurate but it is the best I've seen. I live in the bottom left hand corner of Britain (the pointy bit)  and the lowest temperature we've had in the last 10 years is 38 though historically it's a bit lower 

 

My Floridian friend says that most lilacs are no good though several have been bred that will grow there, a variety called "Kim" being one of the first. Growing ok and flowering well may be two different things 

 

I know what you mean about illiterate plants, they aren't very accomodating are they> <bg>

[Newt]

Drewhound, You are very welcome! Glad you liked that map. It's nice to know where folks live. My dad was born in London and came to the US when he was 4. If he was still alive he'd be 100 this year! I live in Maryland, just a few miles northeast of Washington, D.C. and it's zone 7 here. The 'Miss Kim' lilac is listed as being hardy as far south as zone 7. Go figure!