Table of Contents
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.
Can you plant a lilac bush next to a house?
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.
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?
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.
What is the best time to plant lilac bushes?
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.
What should I plant next to my lilac bush?
Additional Lilac Bush Companions Mock orange. Flowering crabapples. Dogwoods. Flowering cherries. Magnolias.
How long does it take for a lilac bush to get to full 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.
Are coffee grounds good for lilac bushes?
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. Adding bone meal to the soil can make it more alkaline.
What month do lilacs bloom?
Lilacs will grow in spots with less sun but they won’t bloom as well. Speaking of blooms, if you’ve done everything else right then you can expect to see plenty of flowers blooming in mid-Spring, although other varieties bloom at different times.
How do you rejuvenate a lilac bush?
One way to renew a large, overgrown lilac is to cut the entire plant back to within 6 to 8 inches of the ground in late winter (March or early April). This severe pruning will induce a large number of shoots to develop during the growing season.
What is the lifespan of a lilac bush?
How long do lilac bushes live? They’re super-hardy and may live 75 years or more!May 24, 2018.
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.
Do lilac bushes spread?
Most flowering shrubs need regular pruning to keep them vibrant, and the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is no exception. Lilac bushes will typically flower without any effort from you. However, if left to grow and spread on their own, common lilacs will eventually only flower on the tops of the uppermost branches.
Should I cover my lilac bush?
Lilacs withstand a chilly winter better than most plants. This occurs in late winter to early spring when buds are beginning to break and a harsh freeze comes along. Use a blanket, canvas, or even plastic tent over the bush to help protect the buds form the cold.
Do lilac bushes grow fast?
The 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.
What is the difference between lilac and lavender?
The main difference between lavender and lilac (colors) is that the lavender is a pale purple with a bluish tinge while the lilac is as a pale purple with a pinkish tinge. Lavender and lilac are two shades of purple and violet. In fact, both these shades have been named after the color of the flowers.
Do lilacs bloom all summer?
Do lilac trees bloom more than once a year? Most do not, but the Bloomerang lilac tree blooms in spring, takes a pause in early summer, then blooms again from summer all the way to the first frost of the year.
Are lilacs poisonous to dogs?
Are Lilacs Poisonous to Dogs? Lilacs do not contain any chemicals that will poison animals or humans, nor do they irritate the skin. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the Persian lilac (Melia azedarach) which is not related to true lilac, is poisonous to dogs.
How close can lilacs be planted?
Space medium-sized lilacs that are 6 to 8 feet tall at maturity 2 to 4 feet apart. For larger lilacs, which will be taller than 8 feet at maturity, plant about 4 to 6 feet apart. Once the plants mature, larger lilac plants can spread to 10-12 feet wide.
