how to grow lilacs in south carolina

Full sun lovers, lilacs are easily grown in fertile, humus-rich, alkaline to neutral, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Light shade is tolerated but the best flower production occurs in full sun. Lilacs also need space. Good air circulation is important in order to reduce powdery mildew issues.

Where do lilacs grow best?

The ideal spot to plant lilacs is in an area with full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours per day)—give them too much shade and they may not bloom. Lilacs also like slightly alkaline, moist, well-drained soil.

Is there a difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?

To clear up any confusion, there is no difference between a lilac bush and a lilac tree, they are the same plant just called by different names.

Are coffee grounds good for lilac bushes?

Using Fresh Coffee Grounds

Grow lilacs in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (at a pH near 7.0). If your soil is in poor condition, add compost to enrich. Lilacs don't like wet feet and will not bloom with too much water.

How long does it take for a lilac tree to grow?

Age of the Lilac Bush

Young lilacs need ample time to establish their roots. As such, young trees less than three years old will not produce flowers. Some bushes take four to five years to mature enough to display their blooms.

Can you plant a lilac bush next to a house?

Lilac roots aren't considered invasive and as long as you leave enough space between the tree, or shrub, and the structure, there is little risk from planting lilacs near foundations. Lilac roots generally spread one and one-half times the width of the shrub.

What should I plant next to my lilac bush?

Herbaceous peonies and tree peonies (Paeonia) are wonderful companions to lilacs. They are compatible in color, fragrance and form, and make each other look better. Plant peonies at your lilac' foot to hide its poorly clad legs and savor the beauty and pervasive perfume they lavish on those who passes-by.

Will vinegar kill a lilac bush?

Will vinegar kill a lilac bush? Salt and vinegar can be combined to create a quick and easy plant killer, which will effectively dehydrate and destroy any undesired bushes in your yard. Mix 1 pound of salt with 1 gallon of 5 percent acetic acid white vinegar.

How do you keep lilac bushes blooming?

To improve the flowering of lilacs, keep the grass from growing around them. A 16- to 24-inch circle of landscape cloth placed around the bushes and covered with bark or stone will keep the grass down. Force a winter bouquet from cut branches of lilac. Bruise the cut ends and set them in water.

Are lilac leaves poisonous to dogs?

Are Lilacs Poisonous to Dogs? Lilacs do not contain any chemicals that will poison animals or humans, nor do they irritate the skin. Even though lilac stems, leaves, and flowers pose no health threat to dogs, it is a good idea to keep your dog from chewing on the plant.

Are banana peels good for lilacs?

Organic Lilac Food

Grass clippings and coffee grounds are a good source of nitrogen, but use them sparingly in compost. Banana peels offer potassium to the soil.

Are eggshells good for lilacs?

Eggshells can be added to the soil anytime. Pulverize them and sprinkle them around your lilac bushes, gently turning them into the top few inches of your soil. Take care not to damage any roots and water thoroughly to help leech the eggshells into the soil.

How do you rejuvenate a lilac bush?

One way to renew a large, overgrown lilac is to cut the entire plant back to within 6 to 8 inches of the ground in late winter (March or early April). This severe pruning will induce a large number of shoots to develop during the growing season.

Can you grow a lilac tree from a cutting?

Propagating lilac bushes from cuttings is tricky, but definitely not impossible. ... Strip the bottom leaves from the cuttings, leaving two to three leaves at the top. Roots will emerge from the nodes – the points where the leaves were attached to the stem. Fill a pot with potting soil, sand and perlite.

Do lilacs grow quickly?

Lilacs are fast-growing shrubs available in hundreds of varieties. All lilac bushes are fast-growing shrubs that add at least 6 to 8 inches of growth per year. The old-fashioned lilac that likely grew in grandma's garden, however, tops the others in its rapid rate of expansion.

What is the best fertilizer for lilacs?

Bone meal is a great fertilizer for lilac bushes. This is because it makes soil more alkaline. It is a natural plant food easy for the lilac to intake. Fertilizing lilacs isn't strictly necessary except after the first and second years of planting.

Will lilacs grow under pine trees?

Yes, if they have a lot of sun. I grew a white lilac between two cottonwoods (very leafy trees), it has alot of shade, so be careful not to over water them if there is too much shade as they can get white mold on the leaves.

Should I cover my lilac bush?

Lilacs perform well if protected during the winter. Covering shrubs can prevent some of the major types of winter damage, and should be seriously considered by gardeners living in areas where winters are very harsh, or for plants in highly exposed areas of the garden, such as hillsides.

Do lilacs attract bees?

With brilliant purple and bluish petals, lilacs attract numerous bees, especially since the flowers grow in dense clusters. As a result, bees can stay on the blossoms for even more nectar nourishment without having to fly constantly to other plants.

Which lilac blooms the longest?

Common Lilac is the longest blooming species, lasting for a month depending on cultivar and region. Typically blooming in late spring, it offers the largest flowers with the best fragrance.

How deep do lilac bush roots grow?

Roots from a lilac bush will generally remain in the top 18-24" of soil but they may spread out a bit (it's a natural tendancy for these plants to colonize an area). I wouldn't be at all concerned that lilac roots might invade a sewer line that is 6-7 feet deep.

How tall should lilac bushes be?

The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) grows 12 to 15 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. There are many smaller dwarf varieties that mature at 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 7 feet wide. Japanese tree lilacs (Syringa reticulata) can reach 25 to 30 feet tall.