How Deep to Plant Lilac Bushes

Lilacs grow best when planted in a hole suited to the size of the root ball.

Understanding the proper way to plant lilacs helps a lilac bush gardener produce healthy bushes complete with frequent, fragrant blooms. Properly planted lilacs also require less pruning and experience less problems with disease when compared to those planted in less ideal locations. Proper planting begins with digging a hole large enough to accommodate a lilac bush's root system.

Choosing a Site

Prior to digging a hole, survey the yard to find a proper site for the lilac. Lilac bushes require a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day. Well drained soil is another essential requirement. The gardening experts at Gardener's Supply Company suggest digging a hole 8 inches wide by 12 inches deep. Fill the hole with water and check back in one hour. If the water is mostly drained out, the site has adequate drainage.

Hole Depth

After choosing the proper site, measure the height of the bush's roots. Dig the hole about 2 to 3 inches deeper than the height of the root ball. Add 2 inches of compost, bone meal or landscaping gravel to the bottom of the hole. Place the lilac bush in the hole. Be sure the top of the root ball sits level with the top of the hole. Adjust the hole's depth by digging it deeper or adding more planting material if necessary.

Hole Width

The minimum width for a proper lilac bush hole is 3 feet wide, according to the Fox Hill Lilac Nursery. The hole needs to be wide enough to fit the lilac root system. In areas with compacted soil, till up the area around the lilac hole in order to provide proper air circulation for the lilac.

Other Planting Tips

While preparing the first hole, soak a lilac bush in tepid water. This helps prepare the roots for planting and lessens transplantation shock for the bush. After planting the first lilac bush, space the next bush a minimum of 6 feet away from the first. Bushes spaced 6 to 10 feet apart generally require less pruning than those planted closer together. In areas with clay soil, it is best to plant lilac bushes in a raised bed because the compacted soil provides insufficient aeration for the lilacs.

References

• Fox Hill Lilac Nursery: Care: How to Properly Plant Your Lilac
• Gardener's Supply Company: How-To Articles: Planting Lilacs