I have two lilac bushes that are supposed to be suitable for San Diego. The blue/lavender one has only a few tiny sprays. The white one, which has done better, has shown split bark, as has the blue one. Obviously, the articles about freezing do not apply. This year many of the leaves on the white are curling. I can find no pest on them, even under a magnifying glass. Am I missing something?
The following link will take you to a host of lilac related articles: http://www.google.com/cse?cx=012078378210706707791%3Af1h5n_k1r5e&ie=UTF-8&q=blackberry+problems&oq=blackberry+problems&gs_l=partner.3..0i8.134411.138674.0.139862.19.14.0.5.5.0.187.1725.2j12.14.0.gsnos%2Cn%3D13..0.0.4333j1257669j19..1ac.1.kQAzbvAmZA8#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=problems%20with%20lilac
Hopefully your answers can be found in one of the articles.
What kind of soil is good for lilac bushes? What does the pH need to be?
They like well drained, organic rich soil that is slightly acidic to moderately alkaline.
I have a 30-year old lilac tree that has gotten far too big in the mantle (15/20 ft across) with a height of 20 ft (approx). I want to reduce its size both in height and mantle. How severely can I cut this tree back, and when can I do it? Many thanks.
I would not prune it back by more than 1/3 in any one year. Cutting it back further than that could harm the plant. This article should help with pruning: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/pruning-lilac-bushes-when-to-trim-lilac-bushes.htm
I am thinking of planting a lilac. I saw a white one in a nursery and was told that they "grow fast." If the plant starts out 3 feet tall, how long will it take, on average, to get 3 feet? 4 feet? It will be in my backyard with full sun almost constantly. I live in Southern California so the weather is pretty much constant, in the 70's and 80's all the time.
On average, most lilac varieties are medium growers, meaning they grow about one to two feet annually.
My dog chewed a branch off my 2-yr old lilac bush. The piece he chewed off grew buds on it. Can I plant it or put it in water to root it, or is the broken off branch a lost cause? The branch was left on the ground for the better part of 2 weeks but it is budding out at the same rate as the rest of the bushes.
While I can't say with certainty that it will survive, you could try to root the cutting. This article should help you with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-to-root-cuttings-from-various-shrubs-bushes-and-trees.htm
What variety of lilac bush will grow in Greer, SC (Upstate SC)? I grew them while I lived in Montana, but have been told it is too hot and humid in SC. Thank you!
Most lilac varieties are hardy in Zones 4-8, so in South Carolina you should not have any difficulty growing them. In fact, many people down South enjoy these old-fashioned shrubs. Simply choose a variety that best fits your area's conditions. For help with your particular hardiness zone, this article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/planting-zones/south-carolina-planting-zones.htm
When is the best time to relocate a lilac bush?
Most transplanting takes place in spring or fall (preferably fall). If you can ensure that the majority of the roots and surrounding soil is lifted and replanted in similar growing conditions, you'll have a greater chance of success. To reduce shock, trimming may help. Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm