- Grow lilacs in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (at a pH near 7.0).
- Select a site where your lilac will get full sun—at least 6 hours.
- Make sure the site drains well.
- Plant in either spring or fall, although the latter is preferred.
Can you grow lilacs indoors?
Yes, you can but most lilac types are not suitable for growing indoors because some grow to 30 feet tall. When picking a lilac plant, you should look for a dwarf variety or one that will stay small. If you restrict the roots too much the plants will not flower or grow.
Are there lilacs that bloom all summer?
Most lilacs will only bloom for a short time period in the spring. Common lilac has one of the longest and hardiest blooms. Long-lasting varieties of lilacs are called reblooming lilacs and can bloom for around six weeks through spring and summer.
How to grow Lilacs from seeds?
How To Grow Lilacs From Seeds? Sow one lilac seed in each container at a 1/4-inch depth. Spread a very thin layer of horticultural grit over the compost mixture to insulate it. Drizzle water onto the mix until it feels very moist at a depth of 1 inch.
How to plant, grow and care for Lilac?
The Ultimate Guide to Planting, Growing, and Caring for Lilacs
- Common Lilac. Heather Trilling of Trilling Landscape Design & Build says that common lilacs (arguably the most popular variety) are beloved for their colorful and fragrant flowers.
- Dwarf Korean Lilac. ...
- Manchurian Lilac. ...
- Persian Lilac. ...
- Chinese Lilac. ...
See more
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.
Is there a 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.
When should I plant my lilac tree?
Spring or fall is the best time for planting lilac bushes. Situate the lilac with its roots spread vertically in the ground and make the hole both deep and wide enough to accommodate them. If planting more than one lilac bush, space them at least 5 feet (1.5 m.)
Can you plant a lilac bush next to a house?
Root System on Lilac 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.
How fast do lilac trees grow?
1 to 2 feet per yearThe best time to plant lilac bushes is in the early fall before the ground freezes. They have a moderate growth rate of 1 to 2 feet per year.
How long does it take a lilac tree to bloom?
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 do you look after a lilac tree?
Lilacs are easy to grow. Grow in moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Prune after flowering to prevent them getting leggy. Mulch annually in spring.
How do you take care of a lilac tree?
0:452:20Gardening Tips : How to Care for Lilac Trees - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey like to be on a hill or somewhere. That's a little bit raised up or somewhere it has goodMoreThey like to be on a hill or somewhere. That's a little bit raised up or somewhere it has good drainage because they don't want to sit in water year-round. Although they do drink a lot of water.
How much space does a lilac tree need?
Here's the first rule of planting: lilacs need lots of space to grow. If you're planting a hedge, they'll need a spot at least seven to eight feet wide and ten feet wide for a shrub. They also need at least six hours of sun a day to have excellent flowering.
Are lilacs good for privacy?
Lilac hedges, with their colorful, often fragrant blooms, provide privacy and beautify the landscape. Plant them as a screen, barrier, property line marker or garden room divider or backdrop.
Are lilac trees messy?
A: The average lifespan of lilac trees can be around 50 years. Q: Are lilac trees messy? A: Being a deciduous tree, lilacs tend to shed their leaves during winter. So, in this season, the area can get messy.
What can I plant with a lilac tree?
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.
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 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.
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 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.
Do lilacs like wet feet?
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. If you’re lucky, a friend will give you a sucker, or offshoot, of the root system of one of their plants.
How to get lilacs to grow in a hole?
Check the Soil – If your location doesn’t offer rich soil , add compost or fertilizer to the hole before adding the lilac to the hole. You can use a testing kit to check the pH balance of your soil, and remember: lilacs prefer a slightly acidic pH level of 5 to 7.
How tall do lilacs grow?
They offer a strong fragrance and often grow up to 20 feet tall. The most fragrant lilacs from this variety include: Charles Joly – Magenta flowers that are early bloomers. Monge – Deep reddish-purple colored flowers appearing in the mid-season. Firmament – Blue flowers in the mid season.
How many different colors of lilacs are there?
You may find seven different colors of lilacs in total, and these plants make wonderful additions to your home garden. The blooms will attract lovely hummingbirds and butterflies, and the plants themselves add a dose of beauty to any yard. The beautiful lilac flowers cluster together as they grow on a bush or tree.
Why is the lilac tree so popular?
Its blooms are fragrant and gorgeous, and the lilac’s scent is unmistakable. In fact, it’s commonly used in perfumes and fragrant lotions because it’s known to trigger pleasant memories and happy feelings.
Why do lilacs have white spots?
Too much water, or a particularly hot and humid summer, can cause lilacs to develop powdery white mildew. Although the mildew isn’t going to kill your plant, pruning the bushes is the easiest way to treat and prevent the spread of disease. About Brit Haines.
How big do lilac bushes get?
Shrubs can exceed 20 feet in height and live long lives, and even small lilac bushes will become full- to medium-sized trees in no time. Therefore, consider the size of your plant when you choose your spot. Find a place that offers good air circulation and drainage as well as sunshine.
What are the pests that attack lilacs?
Common Pests and Disease Problems. Michel_van_der_Vegt / Pixabay. Lilac bushes and trees are typically sturdy, but pest problems can happen. Slugs and snails are the most common culprits to attack lilacs. If you notice insects taking out your plant, spray your trees with soapy water to keep them away.
When should I plant a lilac tree?
Plan to plant the lilac in the spring or fall. Dig a hole in the soil deep enough to bury the roots. The base of the plant should sit at ground level. After setting the lilac in the hole, fill it up halfway with soil, then water it before filling up the rest of the hole.
How do I grow a lilac bush?
1. 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.
What is powdery mildew on lilacs?
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects lilacs towards the end of summer. The fungus does not directly harm the plant, but it reduces energy production and is unsightly. Sunny locations with good air circulation can decrease the chances of powdery mildew. Fungicide applications work as a preventative measure, but must be applied before mildew is visible on the plant.
How much sun do lilacs need?
Lilacs need full sun, so find a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sun each day and has good air circulation. Lilacs grown in damp stagnant air or without enough sunshine are prone to disease. Lilacs also need well-drained soil. If drainage is a problem, create a mound or raised bed for them before planting.
How to dry lilacs?
Fill a large glass or plastic container with an inch of silica gel. Place a few stems of freshly harvested lilac into the container so that they stand up in the gel. Fill the rest of the container with gel so that it completely covers the lilac. Put a lid on the container and wait a week or so for the lilacs to dry.
How to get rid of lilac roots?
Use a soil testing kit to find out the pH of the soil. Lilacs prefer a neutral to slightly acidic pH of 5 to 7. If the soil is too acidic, sprinkle lime on the soil over the roots of the lilac. Follow manufacturer's application instructions and reapply every 3 to 5 years.
How often should I water a lilac?
Keep your lilac regularly watered during hot summer months, and water a couple times a week. Fertilize your lilac with a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a fish and seaweed emulsion (10-10-10) in the spring.
Planting Lilac Bushes in Different Climates
Lilac bushes need a cold, dormant period and thus won’t grow well in a tropical climate. There is also too much moisture and this can cause root rot in your lilacs.
Choosing Lilac Bush Seeds
While you can definitely plant any type of shrub from seed, most people prefer to start with lilac bushes that are a year or two old. This way they are not as delicate and it is much easier to get them off to the right start.
How to Plant Lilac Bush
Even though lilac bushes are pretty simple to maintain, there are a few requirements they need to start them off right. The first is adequate sunlight.
How to Water Lilac Bushes
Lilac bushes need more care in the first few years than they do once they are fully mature. After you plant your lilac you should give it a good watering and then make sure the soil is moist but not saturated.
How to Grow Lilac Bushes
You will want to fertilizer your lilac bush once a year, in the spring. To do this, simply sprinkle a powder fertilizer over the soil, on top of where the root system is.
How long does it take to grow lilac bushes?
Usually, you can expect lilac bushes to start flowering after four years of growth. However, some may take up to six years so you may need to be patient.
What is the best month to plant lilac bushes?
You will want to plant your lilac bushes in either the spring or the fall. Spring is a good time as your plant can get itself firmly in place during the summer and fall is good as it will allow your plant to settle in over winter.
Cultivation
- 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...
Preparation
- 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.
Prevention
- 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.
Culture
- Lilacs love a sweet soil. If your soil is acidic, adding garden lime in the fall will help the soil stay alkaline.
Results
- If you have a repeat-blooming variety, such as Josée, deadheading will will stimulate the production of new flower and leaf buds. With other lilac varieties, deadheading is mostly cosmetic. Not required, but it does make the plant look better.
Treatment
- Lilacs do not require annual pruning, but cutting off spent flowerheads within a month after bloom will help the plant concentrate on preparing more flower buds and not seeds. If your lilacs become too tall, and the number of blooms declines, you can rejuvenate the plant by cutting one-third of the oldest branches. Cut these main stems to 12 to 15 inches from the soil. This will stimulate t…