Common Lilac

What you'll need:

A garden spade or shovel

Compost or well-rotted manure (to enrich the soil)

Mulch (such as wood chips or bark)

Watering can or hose

• Lilac shrub (either as a young plant or bare-root)

Choosing the right spot:

Lilacs love sunlight, so pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. They also prefer good air circulation, so avoid planting them too close to walls or other large plants.

Soil preparation:

Lilacs aren't too fussy about soil, but they do best in slightly alkaline soil that drains well. If your soil is heavy clay or tends to hold water, mix in some sand or gravel to help it drain better. Before planting, dig a hole that’s about twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball of your lilac.

Timing:

The best time to plant lilacs is either in early spring or fall when the weather is cooler. Avoid planting during extreme heat or frost.

Steps for planting:

1. Prepare the hole: Dig a hole that's about twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. This gives the roots plenty of room to spread out.
2. Add compost: Mix some compost or well-rotted manure into the soil you’ve dug out. This will give your lilac a nutrient boost as it starts growing.
3. Position the lilac: Place the lilac in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the ground surface. You don’t want to bury the stem too deeply.
4. Backfill the hole: Fill the hole back up with the soil-compost mix, gently pressing down as you go to remove any air pockets. Don’t pack the soil too tightly—lilacs like their roots to breathe.
5. Water thoroughly: Give your lilac a good drink of water right after planting. This helps settle the soil around the roots and encourages them to start growing.
6. Mulch: Spread a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant, keeping it a few inches away from the stem to prevent rot. Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps weeds down.

Tip: If you're planting more than one lilac, space them about 10-15 feet apart to give them enough room to grow big and bushy.

Watering:

Lilacs don’t like soggy feet, so water them only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Once established, they’re pretty drought-tolerant, but younger plants will need regular watering, especially during hot, dry spells.

Fertilizing:

You don’t need to fertilize lilacs much. In fact, too much fertilizer can lead to lots of leafy growth but fewer flowers. If your soil is poor, you can sprinkle a bit of balanced, slow-release fertilizer around the base in early spring.

Pruning:

Lilacs bloom on old wood, which means they flower on branches that grew the previous year. The best time to prune is right after they finish blooming in late spring or early summer. Remove any dead or weak branches and shape the shrub if needed. Be careful not to over-prune, as this can reduce next year’s blooms.

Sunlight & Air Circulation:

Make sure your lilac continues to get plenty of sunlight throughout the year. Good airflow is also important to prevent diseases like powdery mildew. If you notice the leaves looking dusty or white, it could be mildew—trimming some inner branches to improve air circulation can help.

Winter care:

Lilacs are hardy plants and usually don’t need extra winter protection. However, if you live in an area with very harsh winters, you can add a layer of mulch around the base before the cold sets in to protect the roots.

You won’t be “harvesting” lilacs in the traditional sense, since they’re mainly grown for their beautiful flowers and fragrance rather than fruit. However, once your lilac blooms in late spring or early summer, you can enjoy the flowers by cutting a few stems to bring indoors.

How to cut lilac flowers:

1. Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the stems just above a pair of leaves or a bud.
2. Cut the flowers in the morning when they’re most hydrated and fragrant.
3. Place the cut stems in water immediately to keep them fresh. You can display them in vases around your home to enjoy their lovely scent.

Tip: If you want to dry lilacs for crafts or potpourri, hang small bunches upside-down in a cool, dry place for a few weeks.

Q: Why isn’t my lilac blooming?

A: There could be a few reasons:

• Too much shade: Lilacs need full sun to bloom well. Make sure yours is getting at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
• Over-fertilization: Too much nitrogen can cause lush green growth but no flowers. Stick to minimal fertilizing.
• Improper pruning: Pruning at the wrong time (like in fall or winter) can remove buds for the next season. Always prune right after flowering.

Q: How do I prevent powdery mildew on my lilac?

A: Powdery mildew thrives in humid conditions with poor air circulation. To prevent it:

• Space your lilacs properly when planting.
• Prune out dense areas of the shrub to allow air to flow through.
• Water at the base of the plant instead of overhead to keep leaves dry.

Q: Can I grow lilacs in containers?

A: Yes, but choose a dwarf variety if possible since standard lilacs can get quite large. Make sure the container is large enough (at least 18-24 inches in diameter) and has good drainage. Container-grown lilacs will need more frequent watering than those planted in the ground.

Q: When should I transplant my lilac?

A: The best time to transplant a lilac is in early spring before new growth begins or in fall after the leaves have dropped. Be sure to dig up as much of the root ball as possible and replant it at the same depth it was originally growing.

Q: Do lilacs attract pollinators?

A: Absolutely! Lilacs are great for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects thanks to their fragrant flowers.