Plant Doctor Archive

Syringa 'Katherine Havermeyer'

I HAVE a Syringa 'Katherine Havermeyer' which is now four-years-old but has not yet flowered. It was very small and bare when I bought it from a reputable garden centre and I kept it in a pot for the first two years. I then planted it out in a sunny spot and recently gave it some organic lime and slow release fertiliser. When can I expect my scented beauty to flower?

LILACS usually favour cold climates only. You will probably find that it is too warm for it is Tauranga where you live. The same goes for Peonies. Everyone north of Hamilton would love to have one in their garden, but it is just not cold enough for them to grow and flower properly there. You could try feeding with some potash or Yates Thrive Flower and Fruit, but I really think that it is the climate that is causing the plant not to flower.

Reproduced with permission from the former Weekend Gardener magazine. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the RNZIH.