- As soon as you get the plant, if it is "bare root" (not in soil), soak the roots in a pail of water for a few hours. ...
- Dig a hole deep enough to just cover the roots and wide enough so you can spread roots horizontally.
- Mix about 1/2 cup of bone meal or superphosphate into the soil in which the plant is going to be planted. ...
- Water the new transplant, until soil is soaked, at least once a week for the first month.
- Apply either a dry fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or a liquid soluble one during the first growing season, according to label directions.
- As soon as you get the plant, if it is "bare root" (not in soil), soak the roots in a pail of water for a few hours. ...
- Dig a hole deep enough to just cover the roots and wide enough so you can spread roots horizontally.
How do you prepare Lilacs for planting?
Get the lilacs ready for planting. If you are planting a dormant lilac, soak the roots in tepid water for 10–15 minutes. If they are rootbound or overgrown in their pots, loosen the root ball by using your fingers to gently separate the roots. Plan to plant the lilac in the spring or fall.
How to grow a lilac bush from a sucker?
All you need to do if you want to grow new lilac bushes is to dig out the suckers along with their roots. Choose a sunny area of your garden to plant the new shoot, dig a hole, put in the sucker, fill with topsoil and water well. You can also propagate the lilac shoots in containers.
How close to a house can you plant lilac bushes?
A distance of 12 feet (4 m.) from the foundation is generally enough to prevent foundation damage. It’s very unlikely that lilac bush roots will break through the side of a foundation. Damage usually occurs when lilac roots approach the base of the foundation under the soil.
How deep do lilac tree roots go?
If the lilac is bareroot, the top layer of roots should be a few inches below the surface. When filling in with soil, it is important to water thoroughly. The idea is to remove air pockets, yet keep the soil porous.
How long does it take bare root lilacs to grow?
The shrub needs at least three years to get established, develop a strong root system, and develop buds that bloom in the Spring.
What is the best month to plant lilacs?
The best time to plant lilacs is in the fall after the leaves have dropped, but before the ground freezes. You can plant lilacs in the spring before the buds start to unfold. Spring periods are very short, however, and transplanting at this time is recommended only in areas where winters are very severe.
How deep do you plant a lilac bush?
Set the plant 2 or 3 inches deeper than it grew in the nursery, and work topsoil in around the roots. Water in. Then fill in the hole with more topsoil. Space multiple lilac bushes 5 to 15 feet apart, depending on the variety.
What is the best way to plant lilac bushes?
The ideal spot to plant lilacs is in an area with full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours per day)—give them too much shade and they may not bloom. Lilacs also like slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soil.
Where should you not plant lilac bushes?
Lilacs grow best in full sun, so avoid planting them where they will be shaded for more than half a day. Be sure to plant them with enough space for future growth. Read the plant label to get the height and spread of the mature plant. To thrive, lilacs need good drainage.
Are coffee grounds good for lilacs?
Fertilizing lilacs with a high phosphorus formula in early spring promotes blooming. Grass clippings and coffee grounds can be used as a good source of nitrogen. Use sparingly, as too much nitrogen in the soil will result in poor blooms. Lilacs grow best in slightly alkaline (6.5 to 7.0 pH), moist, well-drained soil.
How do you make lilacs grow faster?
You can make your lilac bush grow faster by ensuring that it has enough sunlight and that it's planted in good soil. Watering the lilac bush properly without watering it too much is also crucial. Giving the lilac bush fertilizer in the spring can help to give it a boost as well.
Do lilacs need a lot of water?
Lilacs respond best to deep, infrequent watering. Make sure that your planting area or container drains well. These plants do not like wet feet and will not bloom if over watered. Too much water can diminish the oxygen in the soil by filling in air pockets with water, which chokes the roots of the lilac.
What is the difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?
The difference comes down to the amount and placement of stems. Lilac bushes (AKA shrubs) are defined in the typical manner, with multiple woody stems coming up from the base of the plant. In contrast, most lilac trees have one single woody stem: the trunk.
What kind of mulch do you use for lilacs?
Keep the soil within 30 cm (1 ft) of the base of each plant free of grass and weeds with a mulch of peat moss, bark, well-rotted sawdust, wood chips, or similar organic material. During a long dry period, you may have to water the plants.
How fast do lilac bushes grow?
about one foot a yearThe lilac is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub with an irregular, rounded outline. It is fast growing when young, but slows to about one foot a year with age. The stems are dark gray to gray-brown, and the wood is strong.
How long does it take for lilac bushes to grow?
Newly planted lilacs usually do not need pruning for 2 to 3 years and it will take 1 or 2 years before a lilac blooms. Years later, lilac stems can grow very large and tree-like and they will tend to shade out new growth at the plant base.
How long does it take a lilac bush to reach maturity?
Age: Lilac plants need time to grow before they begin flowering. So, if you have a very young plant, it may not be mature enough to bloom. Most plants start blooming after three or four years but some may take as long as six or seven. The blooms for the first few years will be sparse but should increase with time.
How fast do lilac bushes grow?
about one foot a yearThe lilac is a deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub with an irregular, rounded outline. It is fast growing when young, but slows to about one foot a year with age. The stems are dark gray to gray-brown, and the wood is strong.
What goes well with lilac bushes?
Lilac bushes also make good trellises for passionflower vines, like maypop. Maypop also blooms after the lilac blossoms have faded—large, fringed flowers—and, later, grows attractive, edible fruit....Additional Lilac Bush CompanionsMock orange.Flowering crabapples.Dogwoods.Flowering cherries.Magnolias.
What is the difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?
The difference comes down to the amount and placement of stems. Lilac bushes (AKA shrubs) are defined in the typical manner, with multiple woody stems coming up from the base of the plant. In contrast, most lilac trees have one single woody stem: the trunk.
Do you need to deadhead lilacs?
With other lilac varieties, deadheading is mostly cosmetic. Not required, but it does make the plant look better.
Do lilacs need sun?
Lilacs grow best in full sun, so avoid planting them where they will be shaded for more than half a day. Be sure to plant them with enough space for future growth. Read the plant label to get the height and spread of the mature plant. To thrive, lilacs need good drainage.
What is the best fertilizer for a tree?
Deep, thorough soaking is best, with a solution of Stark® Tre-Pep® Fertilizer. (If planting in the fall, wait to fertilize until spring for best results.) This effective starter fertilizer helps trees and plants grow quickly and vigorously.
How to avoid air pockets in a tree?
You can avoid creating air pockets by working the soil carefully around the roots and tamping down firmly. Create a rim of soil around the planting hole 2” above ground level. This allows water to stand and soak in. (In the fall, spread soil evenly around tree to prevent damage from water freezing around the plant.)
What kind of soil do lilacs like?
Lilac bushes aren’t picky about soil and they’re pretty adaptable, but they do prefer alkaline soil with a pH level between 6.5-7.
What zone do lilacs grow in?
It’s why the plant is so popular in colder zones. As with any other plant, you should be mindful of the hardiness zone you live in, so you can make the best purchasing decision for your garden. If you live in Zone 8, for example, you’ll want to opt for a low-chill lilac variety.
How long do lilacs bloom?
Fill your indoor vases with cut lilac blooms and see if you can resist growing your own lilac bushes, I dare you! Lilacs only flower for about two weeks in the Springtime, but if you ask me, that only adds to their appeal.
How long do lilacs live in pots?
Lilacs, after all, can live up to 100 years in the same planting spot! To plant your lilac in a pot, look for a lilac variety that’s better suited to containers, such as the D warf Korean Lilac, Minuet Lilac, or California Lilacs.
What to do if your soil is too acidic?
If your soil happens to test too acidic, you can work garden lime into the soil to make it more alkaline.
Can lilacs grow in sandy soil?
Lilacs can grow well in sandy soils because they love to be well-drained. Since sandy soil doesn’t retain excess water, it provides a more ideal environment. To plant a container lilac, dig a hole that’s as deep as the rootball, and as wide as the width of the container, plus a few added inches in width.
Can you grow lilacs in a container?
If you want to grow lilacs in containers, you can! While it’s not ideal because lilacs like to spread out several feet wide, there are some varieties that have been developed for containers. This is a good option if you’re not planning to stay in your current home for an extended period of time.
How to plant a sage plant?
Selecting a Planting Site 1 Choose an unshaded place, away from buildings, trees, or any other obstacles. (The minimum distance from the base of any obstacle should be at least two times the height of that obstacle). 2 As much as possible, choose a place away from footpaths, sidewalks, and roads. 3 At weather stations, plant the cultivars about 12 to 15 meters (40 to 50 feet) away from the station to avoid any interference with the station instruments. 4 Choose a place where you can observe the plants easily each day. 5 Choose a place where there is no risk of the plants being trampled by people or animals. 6 Choose a place where excessive amounts of snow do not accumulate from drifting or plowing. 7 As much as possible, choose a level surface; if you have a hilly landscape, avoid, if possible, the low areas that can unduly delay shrub development in the spring. 8 Plant in soil commonly found in the area; avoid planting in soil, such as a garden, that has received heavy applications of manure or compost. 9 Leave at least 5 m (15 feett) between plants. 10 Choose a location that will not create any special microclimates (such as frost pockets or windy slopes) for the plants.
How to protect a plant from frost?
For winter protection in areas of little snowfall, 2 to 4''; (5 to 10 cm) of mulch around the base of each plant will protect its roots from frost damage. To prevent breakage from ice, wrap stems together loosely with twine or place burlap (such as from a feed bag) on a frame over the plant. Do not use plastic.
Do you have to water a plant during a dry period?
During a long dry period, you may have to water the plants.
Do lilacs have aphids?
Lilacs and honeysuckle are relatively resistant to insects and diseases. Occasionally they may be affected by powder y mildew, leaf spot, scale, or aphid s. Control measures rarely are needed except for scales (lilacs) or aphids ( honeysuckle). Should these diseases or insects become serious, regular applications of a pesticide may be necessary. Contact the Agricultural Extension Service in your state, province, or county for the latest control recommendations.
How to keep lilacs from flowering?
To improve the flowering of lilacs, keep the grass from growing around them. A 16- to 24-inch circle of landscape cloth placed around the bushes and covered with bark or stone will keep the grass down. Force a winter bouquet from cut branches of lilac. Bruise the cut ends and set them in water.
What type of soil do lilacs like?
Lilacs thrive in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (at a pH near 7.0). If your soil is in poor condition, add compost to enrich. Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.
What color are lilacs in the mid season?
Mid-season lilacs include ‘Monge’, a dark reddish purple, and ‘Firmament’, a fine blue. Late-season beauties include ‘Miss Canada’, a reddishpink, and ‘Donald Wyman’, a single purple. Although common lilacs love cold weather, a few thrive as south as Zone 9, among them the cutleaf lilac, a fragrant pale lavender.
How long does it take for a lilac to grow back?
It sounds drastic, but lilacs are very hardy. The downside to this option is that it takes a few years to grow back. The upside is less work and more reward, as the lilac will grow back bursting with blooms. It must be recognized that severe pruning results in the loss of blooms for one to three years.
How much sun do lilacs need?
For strong bloom, lilacs require full sun —at least 6 hours—or they will not flower well. Make sure the site drains well. Lilacs don’t like wet feet and will not bloom with too much water. Plant in either spring or fall, although the latter is preferred.
What is the most fragrant lilac?
The most common and fragrant lilacs are of the S. vulgaris variety: For early bloom, try ‘Charles Joly’, a double magneta. Mid-season lilacs include ‘Monge’, a dark reddish purple, and ‘Firmament’, a fine blue. Late-season beauties include ‘Miss Canada’, a reddishpink, and ‘Donald Wyman’, a single purple.
What color are lilacs?
Depending on the variety, lilacs are available in shades of purple, violet, pink, blue, magenta, white, and of course – lilac. To enjoy even more of these great plants, you might want to try your hand at rooting lilac cuttings. Read on to learn more.
How to grow a sage plant from a cutting?
Fill a pot with potting soil, sand and perlite. Moisten the mixture lightly, then use a stick or your pinky finger to make a planting hole in the mixture. Dip the bottom of the cutting in rooting hormone and plant it in the hole, then pat the potting mix lightly around the base of the cutting so it stands up straight.
How to cut a sage plant?
Take cuttings in the morning when the weather is cool and the plant is well-hydrated. Cut 4- to 6-inch lengths (10-15 cm.) of tender , new growth. Strip the bottom leaves from the cuttings, leaving two to three leaves at the top. Roots will emerge from the nodes – the points where the leaves were attached to the stem.
Can you plant cuttings in the same pot?
You can plant several cuttings in the same pot, as long as they leaves aren’t touching. You can also plant cuttings in celled nursery trays. Place the pot in a warm location such as the top of a refrigerator. Bright light isn’t needed at this time.
Can You Root Lilac Cuttings in Water?
Some plants develop roots quickly in a glass of water on a sunny windowsill, but this practice isn’ t usually recommended for lilacs.
How far can a lilac plant penetrate water lines?
They are likely to penetrate water and sewer lines that leak, but unlikely to break sound pipes. If you’ve planted your lilac shrub 8 to 10 feet (2.5-3 m.) from water and sewer lines, however, there is little risk of damage, even if the pipes have cracks.
Why do lilacs damage foundations?
Another condition for foundation damage from lilacs is a heavy soil, such as clay, that swells when wet and shrinks dramatically when dry. During periods of drought, the feeder roots pull a lot of moisture from the soil at the tips, causing it to shrink dramatically, and cracks in the foundation may occur. The soil swells again after a drenching rain, but the cracks in the foundation remain. In situations where the foundation is deep and the soil is light, there is little chance of damage to foundations, regardless of the distance between the foundation and the shrub.
Is a lilac tree invasive?
Lilac roots aren’t considered invasive and as long as you leave enough space between the tree, or shrub, and the structure, there is little risk from planting lilacs near foundations. Lilac roots generally spread one and one-half times the width of the shrub.
Can lilac bush roots break through a foundation?
It’s very unlikely that lilac bush roots will break through the side of a foundation. Damage usually occurs when lilac roots approach the base of the foundation under the soil. Since lilac root systems are shallow, they can only reach the base of shallow foundations. If you have a deep foundation, there is little risk of damage.
How tall do lilacs grow?
Lilac Facts. Lilac shrubs range in size from the dwarf varieties that grow up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall to larger bushes that may be as tall as 20 ft. (6 m). There are also types of lilac plants that bloom at different times. So, if you place them strategically in your garden, you can enjoy your lilac blooms for 6 weeks or more in the summer.
How to prevent lilac leaves from turning white?
Signs of lilac powdery mildew are white spots on the leaves that gradually turn the whole leaf white. The best way to prevent powdery mildew is to prune your lilac plants well in the summertime.
What do Lilac Flowers Smell Like?
There is nothing quite like the scent of blooming lilac on warm sunny days. The light purple or pink blooms have strong, sweet aromas that seem to intensify when the sun is shining.
Can You Grow Lilacs Indoors?
Most lilac plants should be grown outdoors as they grow into large bushes that are taller than humans.
What type of lilac tree blooms in spring?
Lilac Trees – Japanese Lilac Tree and Pekin Lilac Tree. There are a few varieties of lilac that look like trees that can create stunning blooms at the end of spring. For example, the Pekin lilac tree ( Syringa pekinensis) produces beautiful white or yellow flowers in early summer.
Why aren't my lilac bushes blooming?
One reason why lilac bushes don’t bloom is if their roots are in too much water.
How tall does a Persian Lilac get?
The Persian lilac thrives in warm climates and grows up to 8 ft. (2.4 m) tall and up to 10 ft. (3 m) wide. This large bush produces fragrant blossoms that are pale lilac and are between 2” and 3” (5 to 7 cm) long. This type of lilac grows best in gardens that get plenty of sunlight.
Cultivation
- Choose lilac bushes to plant. Visit a nursery to pick out a variety of lilac to grow. In addition to color, pay attention to the full-grown height of the plant. Some plants, such as Palibin' and Superba lilacs, grow into 5 to 6 - foot bushes. Others, such as Syringa reticulata, become 20 to 30 - foot trees. You can purchase bare-root or container-grown plants from a local nursery or …
- Choose a spot to plant the lilacs. Lilacs need full sun, so find a spot that receives at least 6 h…
Preparation
Prevention
Culture
- Lilacs among the most carefree of all shrubs. Their needs are simple: plenty of sunlight, good drainage, fertile soil and annual pruning. Choose your planting site carefully and the only care you'll need to provide is yearly pruning to maintain a nice shape. In the spring, you'll be rewarded with clusters of fragrant blooms. Lilacs can be planted i...
Results
- To test drainage before planting, dig a hole that is about 8 inches in diameter by 12 inches deep. Fill the hole with water. If the water has not drained after one hour, choose another site.
Treatment
- During the first couple years, it is important to water your lilacs regularly. During dry weather, water more frequently. For details on proper watering technique, read The Top 3 Rules for Tree Care.