My lilac bush has little green worms and black bugs. The leaves are closed up and inside something is eating them. I prefer an all natural spray because I have bird nests in the tree above and water feature below. Please advise and thank you.
Neem Oil is an organic and safe for people, pets and Bees treatment.
Here are some links with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/common-lilac-problems.htm
I only have a patio. Can I grow a lilac bush in a large container and what soil would they prefer? Thank you.
Lilacs tend not to want their roots constricted and may not bloom if this is the case.
It can be challenging, but can be done.
Lilac won't tollerate acidic soil, and most commercial mixes contain peat.
You can add 1 cup of dolomite lime to a 2-cubic foot bag of potting soil will raise the ph and add calcium and magnesium to the soil.
Add 1 cup of lime each spring to the pot soil.
Use a large and heavy pot, clay would be best to pot up the Lilac.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/dwarf-lilac-varieties.htm
We planted a lilac bush two years ago. Last year we had a small display of lilac, but this year, with the plant standing about 5ft tall, we have only got 3 blooms, all together on just one side, with no sign of any others appearing. There are a lot of side shoots appearing around the base of the bush, however. What can we do to ensure a more prolific display of blooms?
This article will help you pinpoint the issue with your Lilac.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-bush-not-blooming.htm
I have a very healthy Japanese Lilac tree. Each year after blooming, the flowers turn dark brown and become unsightly since there are so many. Would it be helpful or harmful to cut off the blooms when they finish blooming? Thanks Carl Meyers
It is neither helpful or harmful to deadhead your lilac after it blooms. As the blooms are unsightly, I would go ahead and remove them once the flowers have faded.
I live in Davenport, Iowa and today is June 8. My lilac bush hasn't been trimmed in about 3 years and it is hardly blooming and in desperate need of a trim. All I've read says the best time to trim would be "early spring." Is it too late to go ahead and trim the bush? It does provide great shade for my patio all thru the summer, so if I must wait until next year, it won't be w/o some benefit. :D However, what would happen if I tried trimming it in the fall? I can wait if that is a bad idea. Thanks for your site. I appreciate the concise and accurate information you provide. Gail P. Smith
You can trim once the its blooms are spent if your anxious to get it taken care of soon. I am attaching an article that will tell you more about lilac bush pruning.
Our bushes are probably 30 years old, and they have always done well. This spring we had very few flowers. Now we notice the leaves on 3 of the 4 bushes starting to hang limp. We have had enough rain, so it is not drought. Do not see any insects on the leaves. Can you help us?
Your Lilac could be suffering from Lilac Bacterial Blight.
Here are some links with more information.
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/how-recognize-treat-and-avoid-lilac-bacterial-blight
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-bush-not-blooming.htm
I live in SE Wyoming. I have always loved lilacs, and the new place we purchased only had 1 bush. I have pampered it to a healthy plant. I planted 7 new plants last fall. 6 of them the rabbits ate off the new growth this spring before I caught them and corrected the problem. They are now coming up from the base and look very healthy. My question concerns the white bush I planted. It was about 3 ft. tall and leafed out this spring and had a few blooms. I thought it was a result of everything new. Now the blooms are accompanied with a few fuzzy brown growths, looks possibly like early die off of the blooms, and all of the leaves are curling and looking unhealthy. Not sure what to do. Thanks Nancy
Here is a link that will help you pinpoint the cause.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/common-lilac-problems.htm