Zone 9 Lilac Care Growing Lilacs In Zone 9 Gardens

Plant the zone 9 lilac varieties in a site with full sun. As far as soil, lilacs for zone 9 – like other lilacs – require moist, fertile, well-drained soil and regular irrigation in dry periods. If you need to prune the lilac, do so right after the plants spring blooms fade.

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.

Where do lilacs grow best?

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 you grow lilacs in Houston?

So even if lilacs could survive in Houston (they suffer badly from powdery mildew and drop their leaves when summer is hot and humid even as far north as Philadelphia), we would recommend you not plant them. ... It is native to the Hilll Country and not the Houston area so it is drought-tolerant and requires good drainage.

Can lilacs survive winter?

Lilacs withstand a chilly winter better than most plants. They do benefit from occasional watering if there is no precipitation available to the roots. Watering around the root zone actually keeps the soil warmer than dry soil, offering lilac winter protection.

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.

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.

What should I plant next to my lilac bush?

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 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.

How do you rejuvenate a lilac bush?

Old, neglected lilacs can be renewed or rejuvenated by pruning. Home gardeners can choose between two different pruning methods. 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).

Can lilacs grow in zone 9b?

Lilacs for Zone 9

Can lilacs grow in zone 9? Some can. With just a little effort you can find lilac shrubs that thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 and 9.

Do lilacs grow in Zone 8b?

Lilacs seldom bloom well in USDA Zone 8. ... Tom reports that the flowers are fragrant, but not as highly perfumed as those of old-fashioned lilacs.

How much sun does a Bloomerang Lilac need?

The rebloom of Bloomerang lilac occurs on the new growth the plant creates after its spring bloom. For the best rebloom, it's vital that the plant grows vigorously during late spring and early summer. Do this by keeping it well-watered and mulched and in plenty of sun (six hours a day at least).

How do you winterize a lilac bush?

Give your lilac a good watering (2 to 3 gallons) before the ground freezes to ensure the shrub is hydrated before winter starts. Use 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch, like shredded leaves or bark, around the base of your lilac to prevent winter heave, the exposure of roots due to the ground freezing and thawing.

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.

Will Frost kill lilac buds?

If the buds were hit hard by frost or snow, they may not bloom. Lilac freeze damage isn't too common. Lilacs handle cold climates better than most flowering trees, so at worst, you may see a little browning. ... Some buds may still flower (although not as brilliantly) while others might drop pets and look lackluster..

When should a lilac bush be pruned?

The time to prune mature lilac plants is just after the flowers have faded in the spring. Lilacs set next season's flower buds almost immediately, so late pruning will mean sacrificing the next year's flowers.

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.

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.

Is Epsom salt good for lilacs?

Lastly, lilacs do not like overly acidic soil. One trick to encouraging them to bloom is fertilizing them with Epsom salts during the dormant period. ... 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.

Are banana peels good for plants?

In fact, banana peels have the highest organic sources of potassium. Potassium aids plants in moving nutrients and water between cells. Potassium strengthens plants' stems and also fights off disease.