Do Lilacs Like Acidic Soil?
Lilacs, Syringa, are cold-hardy perennial shrubs that produce abundant clusters of light-purple flowers in the spring. Lilacs are long-lived plants that can survive most weather conditions. They are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7 and have even been known to survive in zone 2. Lilacs like a neutral soil, but will also do well in slightly acidic soil and slightly alkaline soil. Does this Spark an idea?
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About Lilacs
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Lilacs come in over 25 species of plants that originate in Europe and Asia. Lilac shrubs are available in a variety of sizes, from 5 to 30 feet tall. They are also available in a range of colors, including the traditional light-purple, pink, white and yellow. The fragrance of lilac shrubs can fill the air in the spring, and they are often brought inside for bouquets. Lilacs are generally easy to grow with minimal care. They can withstand cold winters and will re-bloom in the spring.
Lilac Planting
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Good drainage is important for lilac shrubs because they do poorly when their roots remain wet. Add organic matter like compost or processed manure to the soil to improve drainage. Plant in an area with full sun or partial shade. Do not crowd plants so that they can get sufficient air circulation to avoid mildew problems. Test your soil and adjust it to the range of pH 6.0 to 7.0. Soil that is too acidic will affect blooming, so adjust as necessary with garden lime, recommends the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University.
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Lilac Care
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Lilacs prefer deep but infrequent watering, so keep plants irrigated during dry periods. Keep water off the buds and blooms. Fertilize the plants each spring with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. Mulch around the base of plants to keep down weeds and retain moisture in the soil. Remove the dead heads of blossoms, but do not remove too much stem.
Pruning Lilacs
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Lilacs benefit from regular pruning to remove dead and broken canes and stimulate new growth from the base. Prune after blooming has ended. Shape the shrub by trimming outer branches shorter than inner branches. Never trim back more than one-third of the branch. Remove old branches that have bloomed previously for three to four years. Do any heavy pruning during the dormant season, in November through February.
Lilac Problems
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Blooming problems may be caused by acidic soil, not enough sunlight or too much nitrogen fertilizer. High-nitrogen fertilizers will favor foliage growth over flower production. Powdery mildew can affect lilac shrubs. Trim nearby foliage to increase air circulation and treat the shrub with a plant fungicide. Leaf-miners may tunnel through the leaf to feed and lay their eggs. Spray with an insecticidal oil like neem oil to control pests.
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References
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