desert lilac plant

Where is the best place to plant lilacs?

The ideal spot to plant lilacs is in an area with full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours per day)—give them too much shade and they may not bloom. Lilacs also like slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soil.

Can lilacs grow in the desert?

Lilacs are not desert plants so they require lots of compost mixed in the soil at the time of planting with the soil covered in wood chips that decay over time. They should not be in rock mulch. As with any seasonal flowering shrub or tree the best time to prune them is soon after flowering.

Is there a difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?

To clear up any confusion, there is no difference between a lilac bush and a lilac tree, they are the same plant just called by different names.

What is the most fragrant lilac?

The lilac usually considered the most fragrant is a Chinese native—S. pubescens. It has small, white flowers tinged with purple. The fragrance is sweet and spicy, very different from the traditional “lilac” scent.

Are coffee grounds good for lilacs?

Using Fresh Coffee Grounds

Grow lilacs in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (at a pH near 7.0). If your soil is in poor condition, add compost to enrich.

Can I plant lilac next to House?

Lilac roots aren't considered invasive and as long as you leave enough space between the tree, or shrub, and the structure, there is little risk from planting lilacs near foundations. Lilac roots generally spread one and one-half times the width of the shrub.

Can lilac bushes grow in Arizona?

Lilacs will grow in the alkaline soil in your region, but will not be a dependable performer because lilacs need a pronounced winter chill to produce flowers. ... There are a few hybrids developed by Descanso Gardens that will bloom without a winter chill.

How do you grow a lilac vine?

Purple lilac vines are drought tolerant and need well-draining soil. They should be watered occasionally, giving the soil a chance to dry out between waterings. They will thrive in full sun in areas with temperate summers. If your summers are especially hot, plant your vine in a spot that receives some afternoon shade.

What zone does lilacs grow in?

Common lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) are the old-fashioned type of lilac and offer the biggest flowers, the best fragrance and the most enduring blooms. They typically require chilly periods in winter and only thrive in zones 5 through 7.

Can you keep a lilac bush small?

An older lilac may stop blooming if neighboring trees have grown up to cast shade on it. Lilacs need regular renewal pruning to thin them out and control their size. ... Since common lilac is a big shrub or a small tree, growing 8 to 20 feet tall and almost as wide, it can simply be too much shrub for smaller yards.

Are lilac leaves poisonous to dogs?

Are Lilacs Poisonous to Dogs? Lilacs do not contain any chemicals that will poison animals or humans, nor do they irritate the skin. Even though lilac stems, leaves, and flowers pose no health threat to dogs, it is a good idea to keep your dog from chewing on the plant.

How long does a lilac tree live?

The trees have a lifespan of about 100 years. 5. Pruning and blooming. Lilacs bloom on old wood, meaning they should be pruned immediately after blooms have faded to provide a chance for new growth that will allow flowers to set for next year.

What should I plant next to Lilac?

Herbaceous peonies and tree peonies (Paeonia) are wonderful companions to lilacs. They are compatible in color, fragrance and form, and make each other look better. Plant peonies at your lilac' foot to hide its poorly clad legs and savor the beauty and pervasive perfume they lavish on those who passes-by.

Is there a lilac that blooms all summer?

Bloomerang Purple lilac is the original reblooming lilac. It blooms in spring along with other lilacs, takes a brief rest to put on new growth, then blooms again from mid-summer through fall. ... - It's reblooming! It doesn't only bloom once in spring - it also blooms summer through fall.

Is Lilac fast growing?

Lilacs are fast-growing shrubs available in hundreds of varieties. All lilac bushes are fast-growing shrubs that add at least 6 to 8 inches of growth per year. The old-fashioned lilac that likely grew in grandma's garden, however, tops the others in its rapid rate of expansion.

Are eggshells good for lilacs?

Eggshells can be added to the soil anytime. Pulverize them and sprinkle them around your lilac bushes, gently turning them into the top few inches of your soil. Take care not to damage any roots and water thoroughly to help leech the eggshells into the soil.

Are banana peels good for lilacs?

Organic Lilac Food

Grass clippings and coffee grounds are a good source of nitrogen, but use them sparingly in compost. Banana peels offer potassium to the soil.

Is Epsom salt good for lilacs?

Epsom salts are a good natural fertilizer for lilacs and tomatoes. Add about one cup of Epsom salts to the soil around the drip line of the plant.

Should I cut off dead lilac flowers?

Trimming off lilac flowers

You don't want to cut off next year's flowers! To deadhead lilacs, simply snip the dead flower, leaving the stem and leaves in place. ... Pruning off the spent spring blooms will encourage more new growth and more blooms for that second bloom time.

Should I cover my lilac bush?

Lilacs perform well if protected during the winter. Covering shrubs can prevent some of the major types of winter damage, and should be seriously considered by gardeners living in areas where winters are very harsh, or for plants in highly exposed areas of the garden, such as hillsides.

How deep do lilac roots go?

Roots from a lilac bush will generally remain in the top 18-24" of soil but they may spread out a bit (it's a natural tendancy for these plants to colonize an area). I wouldn't be at all concerned that lilac roots might invade a sewer line that is 6-7 feet deep.