How to Transplant Lilacs
Lilacs are beautiful, fragrant flowering shrubs. They can instantly add charm to any garden or yard. Lilacs are drought-resistant and hardy. It is also easy to transplant runners from mature lilac plants to other parts of your garden. The following article will discuss how to transplant lilacs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Keep in mind that early spring until late spring, from when the lilacs develop buds until they actually have small leaves, is the best time to transplant.
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Decide where you want to transplant the lilac bush or bushes.
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Dig a hole that's about 1 foot deep by 1 foot across for each bush you want to transplant.
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Dig up a lilac shoot from somewhere around the main bush. Lilacs spread by runners. Use a shovel to dig up the shoot because you are going to have to cut off the runner, and a trowel will not be tough enough to do the job. Choose a shoot that is approximately 8 to 14 inches high.
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Put the shoot in a bucket of water if you are not going to transplant it immediately so that it will not dry out.
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Center the shoot in the hole and fill in with dirt. Leave a 3- or 4-inch depression around the shoot so you will have a reservoir for water.
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Water your new lilac bush with a couple of gallons of water. Continue watering the bush several times a week for the rest of the season to ensure that it has a good start.
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Tips & Warnings
Lilacs prefer elevated, well draining soil. Keep this in mind when you select the new home for your lilac bush.
Deeply water regularly to keep the soil moist, not wet, for three to four weeks. This will help your roots to re-establish themselves.
Smaller shoots that are only a few inches high will take a very long time to mature to the point where they will have flowers. Larger shoots seem to take a longer time to recover from being transplanted before they start to grow well.
They do not transplant well in hot, dry weather.
It is also important to note that transplanting can affect the next spring bloom. Next year, the bush will likely produce fewer blooms, or none at all. The following year, blooms will should get back to normal.
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.english-country-garden.com/a/i/flowers/lilac-1.jpg
