Grow lilacs in your yard as a free standing accent shrub or in your butterfly garden and you will enjoy fragrant blooms in spring. The lilac is known for their large showy flowers that come in a variety of colors: lavender, white, yellow and rose hued flowers. The lilac is an easy grow shrub that will grow to the height of 15 feet with a spread of 12 feet. Plant the aromatic lilac bush close to a window and in spring when the flowers bloom the fragrance will fill your home. Another way to grow this shrub is to plant as a privacy hedge. The long lived lilac is eye appealing spring through fall.
Gather garden supplies; nursery grown lilac shrubs, garden gloves, bucket, hose, and mulch.
When to plant
Plan on planting lilacs in the spring after the danger of hard frost has passed. Choose a day that is cloudy or plant in the late afternoon.
Garden Site
Choose a garden site that is located in a sunny to part sun area. This site should also have well drained soil. The lilacs roots are deep and will grow better provided they are not continually wet. Lilacs are not particular about soil types however if you mix the soil with compost or manure your shrub will healthier with vibrant spring blooms and full summer foliage.
Prepare Lilac for Planting
Gently remove the lilac from the container by placing the container on the side and then gently roll the container, this is a method to loosen the soil so that the lilac will come out of the container easily. Slide the lilac out of the container. Fill a bucket of tepid water and place the lilac shrub in the water. By doing this you are hydrating the roots, they will plump and the transplant will not be as stressful. If you do not have a bucket large enough for the shrub, you can run the hose over the root ball. Allow the lilac to hydrate for a half hour.
Ready the Garden Site
Clear the garden site by removing the grass, and working the soil with shovel to the same depth of the nursery container plus six inches. Mix compost or manure with the soil and then dig a hole that is the same depth and width as the container.
Planting Lilac Shrub
Set the root ball in the center of the hole with roots facing outward. Back fill the soil and water well.
Old fashion lilac greeting card by Susang6 at zazzle.com
Care for Lilac
- Surround the lilac shrub with 3-4 inches of mulch. The mulch will aid in retaining moisture and will control weeds. Water the lilac in the morning throughout the growing season or until the ground freezes in the fall. Do not allow the lilac to dry out as it will be stressful for a newly planted shrub.
- Remove spent lilac flowers.
- Prune or shape annually after lilac has flowered.
- Feed annually in spring with a 10-10-10 fertilizer.
Tips:
Hardy in growing USDA zones 3-7
Lilac flowers attract butterflies
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