How to Grow Lilacs

Overview

The fragrant lilac comes in hues of purples and white. This easy-to-grow perennial is a welcomed addition to any garden setting. Once established in a proper location, the lilac should give you years of beautiful sprays of intoxicating blossoms. Lilacs will not grow well in the tropical and subtropical regions of our country. They will do better in areas where the weather is more temperate.

Step 1

Select an area that is large enough to house a full-grown lilac bush. Depending on the variety, lilacs can grow anywhere from 3-to-9-feet tall and wide.

Step 2

Choose any area to plant the lilac that receives full sun and where the air circulates well. Lilacs grow best in sunny areas where the air flow is good. It's best to not crowd them in with other plants too closely.

Step 3

Plant and grow the lilac bush in soil that is more alkaline than acidic. If your soil is too acidic, add 1 cup of lime to the planting hole and mix in well. If the lilac bush is already planted into the ground, add 1 cup of lime around the plant's root zone. Water the lime in well.

Step 4

Fertilize the lilac in the spring with a bloom-boosting fertilizer. Purchase fertilizer that has a high second number, compared to the other two. This is the amount of phosphorus the product contains, which aids in the lilac's production of blooms.

Step 5

Prune the lilac bush only after it has gone through its blooming phase. This is the only time that it is really safe to cut it back. Prune to control its shape and size.

Step 6

Water the lilac bush regularly, but do not allow the bush to live in flooded conditions. The lilac will quickly die of root rot, as it cannot tolerate these conditions for too long.