Caring for the Common Lilac
The common lilac prefers USDA growing
zones 3 through 7
. Plant your lilac in an area that gets at least six hours of full sun each day. The shrub will grow in some shade, but it likely won’t produce as many of the prized blooms.
Where do lilacs grow best?
Where to Plant Lilacs. 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 grow lilacs in the South?
Sadly,
not all lilacs are suited to the heat of the south
. They often need a long period of winter chill for buds to mature and bloom the following spring. However, some lilac varieties and cultivars bloom well in the Lower South Region.
Will lilac bushes grow in Alabama?
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Dear Harvey, I planted a “Miss Kim” lilac three years ago because it was recommended as the best lilac for our area.
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.
Are coffee grounds good for lilacs?
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.
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.
Can you plant a lilac bush next to a house?
Root System on Lilac
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. A distance of 12 feet (4 m.)
Are lilac bushes poisonous to dogs?
Lilacs do not contain any chemicals that will poison animals or humans, nor do they irritate the skin. Even though lilac stems, leaves,
and flowers pose no health threat to dogs
, it is a good idea to keep your dog from chewing on the plant.
Do lilacs spread?
Most flowering shrubs need regular pruning to keep them vibrant, and the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is no exception. … However, if left to grow and spread on their own, common lilacs
will eventually only flower on the tops of the uppermost branches
.
Where do lilacs grow in sun or shade?
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.
How long do Korean lilacs bloom?
| Botanical Pronunciation sih-REEN-gah MY-er-eye | Average Size at Maturity Moderate growing; reaches 4 to 6 ft. tall, 5 to 7 ft. wide. | Bloom Time Spring | Deciduous/ Evergreen Deciduous | Flower Attribute Flowers for Cutting, Fragrant, Long Bloom Season, Repeat Flowering, Showy Flowers |
|---|
Do butterfly bushes grow in Florida?
“butterfly weed” is the common name of our famous flame-orange milkweed native wildflower, Asclepias tuberosa. It grows
from Canada to Florida
, and when happy in dry soils and full sun, can be a sensation of beauty.
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 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.
What should I plant next to my lilac bush?
You’ll find many attractive
spring bulbs
to fill up the area near your lilac bush as lilac companion plants. Bulb plants like daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinth and peonies multiply and naturalize. Plant enough of them and you’ll never weed in the area again.
