Lilac: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you plant a lilac?
Choose a sunny, open, drained position for common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, allowing room for its mature size. It generally prefers neutral to alkaline soil. Autumn to early spring suits a dormant plant, avoiding frost and waterlogged ground. A potted specimen planted while in leaf needs closer attention to watering.
Moisten the root ball before removing the container. Dig a broad hole, about two to three times its width, without exceeding the depth needed for the roots. Locate the first main roots so they will sit at the finished soil level.
Lower the root ball gently and check the height before filling. Use excavated soil around the roots without a thick amendment layer underneath. Firm gently and water to establish contact. A stake is only useful if the plant lacks stability.
Mulch around it with stem bases clear. Monitor moisture in the original ball while roots establish, particularly in dry weather, without standing water. The first seasons need more attention than an established lilac. Let roots and branches develop before expecting a display comparable to a mature shrub.
When does lilac flower?
How do you prune a lilac?
