With its unforgettable springtime fragrance and clusters of delicately colored flowers, the lilac is one of the most essential shrubs in the garden. From planting to maintenance, focus on this plant that will accompany you with its sweet fragrance for many years.
When to plant lilac?
The lilac is an easy to grow shrub that can be planted over a long period from September to May, avoiding of course periods of heavy frost.
How to plant lilac?
The lilac is a versatile shrub that can be planted as an isolated specimen or in a hedge or bed. If you plant it in groups, remember to space each foot 1.5 m apart. The lilac appreciates rich, moist soil and tolerates limestone well. Choose a sunny spot to install your lilac.
- Soak the root ball in a basin of water at room temperature to hydrate it before planting.
- Meanwhile, spade the soil to aerate it and remove stones and weeds.
- Incorporate decomposed manure and compost into the soil.
- Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball in all directions.
- Scratch the bottom of the hole and add a handful of ground horn.
- Pour a little prepared soil into the bottom of the hole and add good planting soil, calculating the height so that the neck of the plant is flush with the ground.
- Place your lilac plant in the center of the hole and fill it in by packing the soil around the foot.
- Water abundantly.
How to maintain the lilac?
Water your lilac regularly during the summer and the months following planting to ensure a good recovery. In autumn, amend the soil at the foot of the lilac with composted manure to nourish it and prepare for abundant spring flowering.
Very resistant if cultivated in an optimal way, the lilac will not be attacked by any parasite, it is very hardy but late frosts can sometimes damage the young shoots.
Remember to remove the faded flowers to avoid the formation of seeds which exhausts the plant.
The lilac does not need any particular pruning operation, however if you want to prune it, proceed just after flowering by removing the dead wood and the spindly or crossing branches. If you prune too late, your lilac will not flower the following year. Older plants can be rejuvenated by pruning drastically to about 20 cm from the ground. Do this in the fall if it is really necessary, the lilac will form a clump capable of flowering two years later.
