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Top Questions About Lilac Bushes

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Questions About Lilac Bushes

  • Answered by
    MichiganDot on
    May 24, 2019
    A.

    Let's assume the shrub is in full sun, 6+ hours of direct sunlight. Then I would look to your pruning technique. Most spring flowering shrubs do better is 1/3 of the oldest, largest stems are removed each year after blooming. Cutting back to 5 feet does not give the same results. Old stems and branches are the least productive of flowers and leaves. Removing some of these big ones allows more sunlight to reach the interior of the plant, another good thing. Also, thin the new stems coming from the base and from the pruned-back stems. If not done, stems shade each other out and become so crowded that foliar disease risk increases, including powdery mildew. You want the sun to reach as many leaves as possible. Do not prune after July 4th since you will remove developing flower buds. I hope this helps.

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  • Answered by
    Downtoearthdigs on
    May 24, 2019
    A.

    There can be several reasons for a flower failure!
    This article will help you assess the plant.
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-bush-not-blooming.htm

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  • Answered by
    Downtoearthdigs on
    May 26, 2019
    A.

    There are some plants that are known to smell like cat urine to certain people; not everyone is affected by these smells.

    Lilac is not generally one of 'offensive plants' on the list.
    Perhaps you have a more sensitive olfactory sense.
    If you recently added fresh mulch, you can check it. Rake it around to dry it out. Wet, new mulch can often have an odor that produced by the ammonia in the breakdown of the mulch.

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  • Answered by
    Downtoearthdigs on
    June 4, 2019
    A.

    This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/pruning-lilac-bushes-when-to-trim-lilac-bushes.htm

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  • Answered by
    Downtoearthdigs on
    June 14, 2019
    A.

    Your Lilac is a hybrid and Lilacs tend to grow suckers from their base. One of these suckers likely reverted to the the root stock as a white flower.
    You can remove this keep the shrub from producing more white flowers.

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  • Answered by
    distantsun on
    June 22, 2019
    A.

    Thank you so much for this article! There could definitwly be a couple of reasons. I will need to have the soil tested to rule out the nitrogen levels as problematic. Are there any home tests?

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  • Answered by
    Downtoearthdigs on
    June 21, 2019
    A.

    No, Lily of The Valley are an excellent underplanting for a Lilac.

    There can be a few different reasons for a lack of blooms.
    This article will help you access the shrub.
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-bush-not-blooming.htm

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  • Answered by
    GKH_Susan on
    July 10, 2019
    Certified Expert
    A.

    There is little risk from their shallow roots. Here is more:

    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/damage-from-lilac-roots.htm

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  • Answered by
    GKH_Susan on
    August 2, 2019
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Have you tried the Descanso hybrids? They were bred for USDA zone 9 and you are in zone 9a. Try giving it some afternoon shade if you can and keep it watered during scorching heat. It is possible to grow lilacs in containers but they need a lot of room and lots of sun, neither of which is conducive to indoor gardening.

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