growing lilacs in florida

The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is the most well-known and can grow to 20 feet in the proper climate. Florida's heat and humidity are not conducive to growing lilacs and these plants will not survive in the central or southern parts of the state.

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.

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 zones do 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.

How many years does it take for a lilac bush to bloom?

Age: Lilac plants need time to grow before they begin flowering. So, if you have a very young plant, it may not be mature enough to bloom. Most plants start blooming after three or four years but some may take as long as six or seven. The blooms for the first few years will be sparse but should increase with time.

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.

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.

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.

Should you Deadhead lilacs?

You must deadhead the lilacs soon after they finish blooming so you don't accidentally remove the new buds and ruin next year's flower cycle. Cut off the old dead flowers as soon as they begin to turn brown and wither.

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.

Can you plant a lilac bush next to a 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.

Do lilacs spread?

Lilac bushes will typically flower without any effort from you. However, if left to grow and spread on their own, common lilacs will eventually only flower on the tops of the uppermost branches.

Will vinegar kill a lilac bush?

Will vinegar kill a lilac bush? Salt and vinegar can be combined to create a quick and easy plant killer, which will effectively dehydrate and destroy any undesired bushes in your yard. Mix 1 pound of salt with 1 gallon of 5 percent acetic acid white vinegar.

How do you keep lilacs blooming?

To improve the flowering of lilacs, keep the grass from growing around them. A 16- to 24-inch circle of landscape cloth placed around the bushes and covered with bark or stone will keep the grass down. Force a winter bouquet from cut branches of lilac. Bruise the cut ends and set them in water.

Is there a lilac bush 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 doesn't only bloom once in spring - it also blooms summer through fall.

How do I get more flowers on my lilac bush?

A lilac bush needs at least 6 hours of sun or more in order to bloom their very best. You can move it or prune back the trees shading it. Be aware that moving it may cause it to not bloom for another entire year so be patient. Also, you might need to thin the bush to make sure sunlight is getting through the foliage.

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.

How do you rejuvenate a lilac bush?

One way to renew a large, overgrown lilac is to cut the entire plant back to within 6 to 8 inches of the ground in late winter (March or early April). This severe pruning will induce a large number of shoots to develop during the growing season.

What fertilizer is best for lilacs?

Bone meal is a great fertilizer for lilac bushes. This is because it makes soil more alkaline. It is a natural plant food easy for the lilac to intake. Fertilizing lilacs isn't strictly necessary except after the first and second years of planting.

What is the best smelling lilac bush?

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.

Why do my lilacs not bloom?

A. There are several possible reasons why your lilac fails to bloom. The most common cause is lack of adequate sunlight. Lilacs (Syringa) need to be planted in a location that receives at least six hours of strong, direct sun per day.