How to Grow Lilac Bushes in Zone 9
The common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is a deciduous shrub with a moderate growth rate and fragrant clusters of columnar flowers. Common lilacs are hardy in zones 3b through 7, where extreme heat is not an issue. To the delight of southern gardeners, lilac breeders have developed several cultivars of common lilac that are better able to withstand warmer temperatures than their tender cousins. Syringa vulgaris “Mme Lemoine” and Syringa patula “Miss Kim” are two examples of lilac crossbreeds that thrive in the warm soils of zone 9.
Scout out a location that receives at least six hours of daily sunlight. The site should contain well-drained soil with a neutral pH (7.0). Zone 9 soils contain fluctuating pH levels. If you are unsure of your soil’s pH, test it with a soil testing kit purchased from a garden center.
- The common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is a deciduous shrub with a moderate growth rate and fragrant clusters of columnar flowers.
- To the delight of southern gardeners, lilac breeders have developed several cultivars of common lilac that are better able to withstand warmer temperatures than their tender cousins.
Turn over the soil with a pitchfork to create a fine planting medium. Modify your zone 9 soil if it is not within the preferred range. Mix peat moss in with the soil if the pH hovers above 7.0 or add lime to soil with a pH below neutral. Add the amendments according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Prepare planting holes for the lilac bushes in the early spring, just after the final frost of winter, which usually comes between January 30 and February 30. Dig each hole twice the width of the lilacs’ root-balls and just as deep. Space the holes between 5 and 15 feet apart.
- Turn over the soil with a pitchfork to create a fine planting medium.
Slip each lilac bush out of its nursery container and set one bush in the middle of each hole. Backfill the holes and pack the soil around the main stem of each lilac bush. Pat the top of the soil after backfilling to remove trapped air.
Run a soaker hose around the lilac bushes and water deeply to a 1-inch depth. Maintain this moisture depth for the first growing season. Zone 9 lilacs require 1 inch of water every week, whether it is through rain, supplemental watering or both.
Prune the lilac bushes to keep them looking neat and tidy. The best time to trim zone 9 lilacs is immediately after blooming in the late spring. Trim damaged, diseased and old wood with a pair of pruning shears. Avoid removing more than one-third of a lilac bush during a single pruning.
- Slip each lilac bush out of its nursery container and set one bush in the middle of each hole.
- Pat the top of the soil after backfilling to remove trapped air.
Tip
Lilacs are not heavy feeders but do appreciate a dose of fertilizer in the early spring. Begin fertilizing in the spring of the second growing season and each spring that follows. A 10-10-10 fertilizer is best suited for lilacs.
If weeds are a problem in the planting location, spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the lilac bushes. Keep the mulch 1 to 2 inches away from the main stems to discourage rot.
Warning
Avoid saturating soil when watering lilac bushes. Stick your finger into the soil before you run the soaker. If your finger feels moist, there is no need to run the soaker.
Lilacs bloom on the wood from the previous year. Do not prune in the fall or you risk cutting off the following year's blooms. Always prune immediately after blooming.
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Writer Bio
Jonae Fredericks started writing in 2007. She also has a background as a licensed cosmetologist and certified skin-care specialist. Jonae Fredericks is a certified paraeducator, presently working in the public education system.
