How to Plant and Take Care of Lilacs

For my daughter's last 19 birthdays in May, I have given her a bouquet of lilacs. Before we moved out to the country in 2000, this wasn't always so easy. Sometimes I would have to beg, borrow or steal them. I actually have gone up to people's houses and asked if I could cut a bouquet of their lilacs. One time I did cut a bunch along a roadside in the country, where I did not know who the bush had belonged to. Well, I guess I have never had to beg for them. Our property now has three wonderful lilac bushes on it. They are probably around 100 years old. With loving care, maybe they will make it another 100.

When planting a Lilac bush, you will want to plant it where you will be able to enjoy both the flowers and the fragrance. The balled and burlapped Lilac bushes are best planted in early spring, the container grown lilacs can be planted anytime throughout the season.

In well drained soil, dig a hole that is the same depth as the root ball or the same depth it was in the container. Loosen roots and set inside the hole, fill with soil and water well. If planting more than one plant they should be about 5 to 6 feet apart. Lilacs should have a good 4 to 6 hours of sun a day.

You can also take new shoots from an existing Lilac bush. Pick shoots that are 11/2 to 2 feet high, dig out carefully as to not ruin the roots, use a clippers or sharp knife to cut the root from the main bush. Dig a hole and add some compost, put in the shoots. Fill hole with soil and water well. New plants should have about an inch of water a week and should not be fertilized the first year.

To keep Lilacs at their best you will want to prune them. You should always prune 2 to 3 weeks after the flowers have faded. Trim the spent blooms off; new buds for the following year will develop then.

Most lilac bushes will grow taller than 10 feet high. It is best to keep them at a height that is manageable. Lilac bushes grow in three year cycles, so it is good each year to cut off about a third of its older, thicker branches.

When cutting Lilacs for a bouquet, it is best to put them in water right away. I bring a pail half filled with water when I cut mine. Always use a sharp clippers or knife when cutting the branches. Cut a slit in the end of the branch, so the lilac gets more water. It will help the bouquet last longer.

Hopefully with these tips you can have lilacs to enjoy for years to come.