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- Q.Overgrown Lilac Bush - I have a lilac bush that is roughly 16' high with healthy leaves and blooms but is tall, flat and ...
- Q.How To Treat Bacterial Blight On A Lilac Tree - HI, We have a 16 year old Lilac tree that we planted about 14 year ago in our garden. It ...
- Q.What Mulch Alternatives Other Than Wood Can I Use Around Lilacs? - I have 3 lilac rows, with 50 plants in each. They are Madame Lemoine and Sensation varieties. I want to ...
- Q.Our Lilac Is Not Well – What Should We Do? - We live in Minnesota and have had this lilac for many years. We had many beautiful lilacs this year, but ...
- Q.Can I Grow Lilacs In Central Florida - Zone 9, able to plant protected from direct summer sun
- Q.Lilac Blooms - I have a lilac that I bought for my husband 3 years ago. it was in a pot for 1.5 ...
- Q.My Dogs Bit Some Bark Off Of My Lilac Tree, Near The Bottom - Will this affect the growth and blooming of my tree? Can I save it?
Asked by
Anonymous on
September 10, 2021Q.Overgrown Lilac Bush
I have a lilac bush that is roughly 16' high with healthy leaves and blooms but is tall, flat and top heavy. Can you advise me on how to trim it to grow lower and more uniformly?
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
September 22, 2021
Certified ExpertA.This article should help:
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
September 24, 2021Q.How To Treat Bacterial Blight On A Lilac Tree
HI, We have a 16 year old Lilac tree that we planted about 14 year ago in our garden. It has been thriving over the years giving us one of the best early blooms this year. Once the flowers were over, we noticed that pigeons started eating the leaves. I was not too worried as I read that is common and lilacs can recover from it, but I did put up some silver tape to deter the pigeons anyway. Then in July/Aug we noticed that the leaves started curling, turning brown and slowly dying. When I looked up the symptoms your site helped me identify this as Bacterial Blight. I tried to find the suggested treatment copper fungicide, but was told by my local nursery it is banned in the UK with no alternative available. Can you please suggest what to do, I do not think a simple prune will help as the disease has devastated the whole tree as per the last picture. This lilac was a gift from my parents when we moved into our house so it is very sentimental to us and would like to do our best to save it.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 7, 2021
Certified ExpertA.The best way to treat bacterial blight is to cut back the damaged limbs and thin the center of the canopy. Chemical controls include copper sulfate or Phyton 27, a bactericide/fungicide. When purchasing a lilac, make sure to buy a resistant variety.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/common-lilac-problems.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
October 7, 2021Q.What Mulch Alternatives Other Than Wood Can I Use Around Lilacs?
I have 3 lilac rows, with 50 plants in each. They are Madame Lemoine and Sensation varieties. I want to replace the wood mulch with an alternative, such as rock or rubber mulch for weed control, as my dogs eat the wood mulch. Would either of these alternatives be recommended? Should I put weed barrier down first, and if so how do I still allow for the bushes to sucker(want to allow them to sucker to fill out)
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 18, 2021
Certified ExpertA.This article should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/mulch/using-inorganic-mulch-in-gardens.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
October 26, 2021Q.Our Lilac Is Not Well – What Should We Do?
We live in Minnesota and have had this lilac for many years. We had many beautiful lilacs this year, but by the end of summer, the leaves had a white, then purple look. I've attached photos. Is this something that will be cured by winter cold, or do we need to take action? Please help!
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 31, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It looks like powdery mildew and possibly some leaf spots, too. Neem oil should help. Also, thinning out the canes each year will increase air circulation that helps prevent fungal diseases. Powdery mildew is very common in lilacs and they should recover without treatment. Also, the more sun they get, the better. Lilacs in shade will always have powdery mildew.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/common-lilac-problems.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/powdery-mildew-on-lilac-bushes.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Gramma2.0 on
January 17, 2022
Kissimmee, Fl zone 9Q.Can I Grow Lilacs In Central Florida
Zone 9, able to plant protected from direct summer sun
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
January 17, 2022
Certified ExpertA.There are a few that will do well in your zone. This article will help:
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
CB on
February 20, 2022
Northport, AL, zone 8AQ.Lilac Blooms
I have a lilac that I bought for my husband 3 years ago. it was in a pot for 1.5 years then we moved next door and I planted in a bright but shady place. 2 years later no blooms yet. Last year I moved it to a morning sun area and it made new leaves but never bloomed. Due to water pipes needing the Lilac space, it is again in a pot and spent the winter under an oak tree. It is showing new growth but I am wondering what to do to get it to bloom. I am in 8A zone.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
February 21, 2022
Certified ExpertA.Lilacs need full sun to bloom well. These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/lilac-bush-not-blooming.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/pruning-lilac-bushes-when-to-trim-lilac-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/growing-lilac-in-pots.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
March 3, 2022Q.My Dogs Bit Some Bark Off Of My Lilac Tree, Near The Bottom
Will this affect the growth and blooming of my tree? Can I save it?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
March 7, 2022
Certified ExpertA.It doesn't look very deep, so your tree should just heal over. The only issue is it leaves the tree vulnerable to invasion by pests and disease, so you will need to watch for those. This article tells how you can clean the wound so it can heal safely.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/repairing-tree-bark-damage.htm
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