|
 Lilacs are usually fairly reliable bloomers, but sometimes they fail to flower. Here are some tips to make sure yours bloom:
- Usually, insufficient sunlight is the problem. A minimum of six hours of sun is needed each day.
- Too much nitrogen can be a problem. Often lilacs are planted in the lawn and fertilizers used to green up lawns are high in nitrogen. For the lilac, this causes beautiful green foliage but little bloom. Avoid using fertilizers high in nitrogen.
- Make sure you prune at the right time. In early spring, remove any dead or damaged wood. But don't do any major pruning because you can easily remove the dormant flower buds. After the flowers fade, it's OK to do more major pruning, such as reshaping or rejuvenation of an old bush. You can also remove the faded flowers. Just be sure to complete pruning before midsummer. If you wait too long, you risk removing some of the next season's blooms.
Lilac care
There are four basic rules to follow in taking care of your lilac(s):
- plenty of sunlight
- good drainage
- provide good soil
- pruning
Choosing the planting site
Avoid planting lilacs along walls or among large trees (or trees that will grow tall). Use complementary shrubs, plants, or other garden outcroppings to enhance the appearance before and after bloom. Space lilacs no less than 6 to 10 feet apart. Crowding requires more frequent and drastic pruning.
Sunlight
Make good use of available sunlight; try a south or southwest spot out of the way of doors or windows. Lilacs require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily. The amount of sunlight dictates the appearance, color, and quantity of bloom. Too much sunlight is better than not enough.
Drainage
Good drainage is characterized by the soil's ability to retain sufficient moisture to nourish the root system while still being able to drain off excess moisture. Lilacs do not thrive in soggy soil.
Planting
The planting hole should be deep and wide enough to accommodate the plant's root system. We recommend adding compost, bonemeal or an all-purpose fertilizer to the planting hole.
When planting, place the top of the root ball level with the surface of the hole. If the lilac is bareroot, the top layer of roots should be a few inches below the surface. When filling in with soil, it is important to water well, but do not flood, and avoid compacting the soil around the root system. The idea is to remove air pockets, yet keep the soil porous.
|