Lilac Care
Best Tips on Lilac Care
To enjoy the perfumed scent of lilacs for many years to come, knowing the technique of good lilac care is a must. And, since many lilac varieties can live for over one hundred years, information on the proper lilac care will help to ensure your shrub’s longevity.
Lilacs can be found growing just about anywhere; in gardens, in the wild, in parks. Most people cherish the sweet fragrance that fills the spring air each year from the blossoming shrubs, yet many have no clue as to what the shrub needs to keep it in optimal blooming condition. A few simple steps to lilac care can keep the shrub healthy and filled with blossoms.
A sunny location is the best spot for a successfully blooming lilac shrub, as at least six hours of sunlight is optimal for growth and flowering. Once you have provided the perfect spot, you will want to make sure the shrub has a moist foundation. Just about any type of soil will work, as lilacs are highly adaptable, but they do need good drainage.
Nutrients that ensure a healthy plant are obtained through the soil; fertilizer can provide any minerals or nutrients that may be lacking in your yard. A mature lilac shrub should only need to be fertilized only once per year. A tip on lilac care: choose one that is higher in phosphorus levels than nitrogen levels. Phosphorus promotes greater yield of flowers, whereas too much nitrogen will produce a full, leafy shrub but few flowers.
After the enjoyment of the fragrant blossoms in the spring, it will be time to prune. When pruning a lilac, care should be given on how much is trimmed. It is recommended not to trim off more than 1/3 inch from the lilac stems. Dead, broken or diseased branches should be removed, as well as the smallest suckers from the ground. Keeping the lilac pruned will help it from becoming overgrown, and make sure it will be covered with blossoms next year.
Maybe you did everything right in lilac care; planted in the right spot, gave the shrub just the right amount of water and fertilizer, pruned at the right time, yet your lilac shrub just didn’t bloom as well as it should. There is one aspect to lilac care that is simply beyond the gardener’s ability – Mother Nature. The summer weather influences the type of bloom season the lilac bush will experience the following spring. A sunny yet cooler summer will yield the greatest blooming period in the next season.
Having a healthy, well maintained lilac shrub will ensure that it fill your yard every year with the wonderful sweet smell of lilacs. Following just a few tips on lilac care can give you the best chance for a profusely blooming, fragrant lilac shrub each spring.