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The planting hole should be deep and wide enough to accommodate the plant’s root system. Place the top of the root ball level with the surface of the hole. 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.
How deep do you plant a lilac tree?
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.
How fast do lilac trees grow?
The 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.
Is there a difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?
Shrub lilacs and bush lilacs are short and compact. Tree lilacs can grow up to 25 feet (7.6 m.) high and have a tree-like appearance, but their many stems tend to get them classified as bushes. They are not technically trees, but they get big enough that you can treat them as if they are.
When should lilacs be planted?
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 do you take care of a lilac tree?
How To Care For Lilacs in the Garden Apply a good layer of mulch every year to retain moisture and control weeds. Wait until the top becomes thoroughly dry and then water the common lilac trees well. Fertilize lilacs very sparingly. Pruning lilacs correctly tops the list of to-dos when it comes to taking care of lilacs.
How do you plant a lilac bush in the ground?
Planting Lilac Bush 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.) apart to prevent overcrowding, even if you plan to use them as hedges for privacy.
Where is the best place to plant a lilac bush?
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.
How long does it take for a lilac tree to mature?
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.
What is the lifespan of a lilac tree?
How long do lilac bushes live? They’re super-hardy and may live 75 years or more! Just look at old, abandoned farmhouses where the lilacs still bloom vigorously.
When should you trim a lilac tree?
As a general rule for all lilacs, they should be pruned immediately after they’re done flowering in the spring. Since lilacs set next year’s flower buds right after the current year’s flowers have faded, pruning later in the summer or fall will result in cutting off many or all of next year’s flowers.
What color lilac is most fragrant?
The lilac usually considered the most fragrant is a Chinese native—S. pubescens. It has small, white flowers tinged with purple.
What can I plant with a lilac tree?
Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) are striking specimen plants with their early-blooming lacy blossoms that exude a sweet perfume.Weigela works well, but so do the following: Mock orange. Flowering crabapples. Dogwoods. Flowering cherries. Magnolias.
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.
Can I plant lilacs next to my 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. A distance of 12 feet (4 m.)Oct 17, 2020.
Do lilacs need a lot of water?
Watering your lilac plant is recommended once every 10 to 14 days from from spring until blooming ends. 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.
Can lilac trees be grown in pots?
If you’re growing lilac in a pot, choose one that is at least 60cm in diameter. Plant into John Innes No. 3 compost with some sand or grit added for drainage.
What do lilacs symbolize?
Lilacs symbolize spring and renewal, but they had other meanings in different cultures. White lilacs represent purity and innocence, while purple lilacs symbolize spirituality. Magenta lilacs symbolize love and passion.
How do you keep a lilac tree small?
If you haven’t ever pruned your lilac bush and it has become too tall, you can revitalise the plant with a hard prune in winter. Cut out one third of the stems completely, leaving all the strong young shoots, then cut back another third of the old shoots the following year and the remaining old shoots the year after.
