Angela Treadwell-Palmer \u2014 April 1, 2013<\/p>\n

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\nClick image to enlarge.<\/p>\n

Lilacs and robins are the traditional heralds of spring. Once we inhale that sweet, signature fragrance and see red-breasted birds flitting about, we know that the season of promise is well underway.<\/p>\n

For too long, however, lilacs have been viewed as old-fashioned \u2013 and not in a good way. More a plant for Grandma\u2019s garden than one that\u2019s retro-chic, this bread-and-butter shrub has struggled a bit to receive the attention it so richly deserves.
\nName:<\/strong> Syringa vulgaris \u2018Elsdancer\u2019
\nCommon name:<\/strong> Tiny Dancer lilac
\nHardiness:<\/strong> Zones 4 to 8
\nMature height:<\/strong> 4 to 5 feet
\nMature spread:<\/strong> 3 to 4 feet
\nClassification:<\/strong> Flowering shrub
\nLandscape Use:<\/strong> Uniquely sized for foundationplantings; cutting gardens and borders; small urbangardens; wildlife gardens
\nOrnamental Characteristics:<\/strong> Compact in sizebut big in bloom and fragrance; large, lavender-pink blooms; mildew-resistant foliage<\/p>\n

One little standout could change all that: Tiny Dancer (Syringa vulgaris \u2018Elsdancer\u2019), discovered by noted plantsman John Elsley and introduced in 2011, is a compact shrub that\u2019s perfect for today\u2019s landscape. Reaching only 4 to 5 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide, Tiny Dancer is uniquely sized for the modern garden, fitting in nicely at the foundation as well as in the mixed border or a cutting garden. This little shrub is perfect for small urban sites, giving city dwellers the color and fragrance of a country garden.<\/p>\n

Despite its small stature, Tiny Dancer boasts large blooms: Four- to 5-inch panicles of violet-purple buds open to fragrant lavender flowers whose large florets make each cluster appear luxuriously full. Bloom time is typical for lilacs \u2013 May through June \u2013 but that\u2019s all that\u2019s typical about this plant. The mildew-resistant foliage provides an extra bonus, appearing in perfect scale with the blooms.<\/p>\n

\nClick image to enlarge.
\nPhoto courtesy of Plants Nouveau<\/em><\/p>\n

This very well may be the perfect lilac for the South, where few lilacs are able to withstand the heat and humidity. Tiny Dancer is cold tolerant from Zone 4 all the way to Zone 8, where it exhibits remarkable heat tolerance.<\/p>\n

Given a site that enjoys full sun to part shade, and average garden soil that\u2019s moist but well-drained, this fragrant beauty will provide years of hard-working, independent quality. Tiny Dancer heralds a new beginning for lilacs.<\/p>\n

Angela Treadwell-Palmer
\nFounder and co-owner
\nPlants Nouveau, Charleston, S.C.
\[email protected]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Angela Treadwell-Palmer \u2014 April 1, 2013 Click image to enlarge. Lilacs and robins are the traditional heralds of spring. Once we inhale that sweet, signature fragrance and see red-breasted birds flitting about, we know that the season of promise is well underway. For too long, however, lilacs have been viewed as old-fashioned \u2013 and not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nursery"],"yoast_head":"\n