How to to Grow Lilacs

The common lilac is sometimes called a French lilac.

Lilacs produce cone-shaped panicles of delicate purple, white or pink blossoms with a heady, sweet scent. The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is suited to temperate climates up to U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zone 7a, where winter temperatures can dip down to zero degrees. Gardeners in warmer zones can still enjoy lilacs, but need to choose cultivars bred for warmer temperatures, like cut-leaf lilac (S. laciniata) or the Miss Kim Korean lilac (S. patula "Miss Kim").

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• pH test kit
• Ground limestone
• Mulch
• Fertilizer
• Pruning loppers
• Pruning saw
• Fungicide

1. Pick the right spot to plant your lilac. They thrive where drainage is good and the ground does not stay wet for an extended period. A sloped area, or the side of a hill, is ideal. If this type of site isn't available, mound the dirt under and around them with a shovel to raise the planting site up 3 to 4 inches to create better drainage. They blossom best if they receive good sun exposure. In warmer climates a half a day is sufficient, more is preferable when weather is cool.

2. Test soil before planting to ensure it is neutral, to slightly acidic on the pH scale, 7 to 6.5. Lilacs prefer loamy soil with a minimum of amendment, according to University of New Hampshire Extension. Some ground limestone can be added to the planting hole to help adjust pH. A 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, like pine bark is recommended around the lilac, once planted.

3. Water thoroughly and slowly as it will take time for the water to reach the roots. Even though lilacs like good drainage, they have deep roots and may require watering in addition to natural rainfall if it is dry. Their leaves start to wilt quickly so they let you know when they need a drink.

4. Fertilize in early spring and late fall with a low-nitrogen fertilizer. A higher phosphorus fertilizer promotes blooms. You can use your fireplace ash for this purpose as well. If the soil is too high in nitrogen, the blooms diminish.

5. Prune simply by cutting bouquets of blooms in the spring, and shaping the shrub immediately after spring flowering. Remove any shoots or suckers that have developed at the base of the plant with loppers or a pruning saw. Larger branches can be pruned from the center to improve air circulation for a healthier plant. You can also remove any branches that stick out awkwardly.

6. Treat the powdery mildew with a fungicide as soon as it it noticed -- usually in the summer. Powdery mildew dusts the leaves with a white filmy coating and is the most common problem of lilacs, but is mainly cosmetic.

Tips & Warnings

• If your new lilac plant does not flower, it may be too young. Lilacs do not flower for their first five to seven years.

References

• University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Lilacs
• East Texas Gardening: Lilacs for Texas

Resources

• U.S. National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map