Lilac is a multicolored garden shrub that requires little care. There are over 2,000 varieties of this tree. It is rarely attacked by diseases or insects. Its advantage is its rapid growth.
Growing lilac shrubs can be problematic: seedlings don't always take root. This can happen due to unsuitable soil or failure to follow planting timing and guidelines. Regardless of the variety, to ensure lilacs take root, it's important to know when to plant them. Typically, August-September is the best time.
Planting in open ground
When planting, the following factors must be taken into account:
- climate of the growing region;
- Features of the root system of seedlings.
Planting dates by region for seedlings with open and closed root systems
The most favorable time is August-September.
Spring in the central region is late, and summer is short. Planting in August allows the bush to establish itself and become established before winter. In the Moscow region, this time is even preferable. It is recommended to plant bare-root shoots in late summer or early fall.
Autumn is the preferred time to plant in the southern regions of the country. August is still hot, and the shrub has trouble rooting, especially if there's a lack of moisture. In autumn, the heat subsides and rains begin, which favors plant growth. It has time to gain strength before winter. The most favorable month is the first half of September.
Cuttings also take root well when planted in the spring. This should be done as soon as the ground has completely frozen and the risk of frost is minimal. At this time of year, sap flow is active, accelerating the shrub's growth. Over the summer, the lilac's root system develops well. The plant becomes covered in dense foliage. It enters winter fully established.
In the spring, shoots with a closed root system (meaning the shoots grew in a container before planting) take root well. The seedling, complete with a lump of soil, is transferred from the pot to a prepared hole in the garden.
It's important to repot lilacs before they begin blooming (before May). After that, they should not be disturbed. Planting should be postponed until the fall.
Lunar calendar dates for 2023
The gardener decides for himself whether to take into account the recommendations of the Lunar calendar.
| Month | Favorable numbers | Unfavorable and forbidden numbers |
| April | 2 (from 13:58 pm)-4, 7 (from 09:29 pm)-9 (until 15:57 pm), 11 (from 20:33 pm)-13 (until 23:42 pm), 16-17, 21-22 (until 13:11 pm), 24 (from 21:00 pm) 58m.)-27 (until 9.29am), 29 (from 21.59m.)-30 | 1, 2 (until 13:58), 5 (from 7:34), 6, 7 (up to 7:34 a.m.), 19 (from 7:13 a.m.), 20 |
| May | 1-4 (until 17:31), 7-10, 13 (from 07:39)-15 (until 10:56), 17 (from 15:26)-18 (until 18:52), 22-24 (until 17:34), 27-31 | 5, 6, 19, 20 |
| August | 3-4, 12-14 (until 13:35), 17-22, 26 (from 14:04)-28 (until 17:31) | 1, 2, 15 (from 12:38 p.m.), 16, 17 (up to 12:38 p.m.),30,31 |
| September | 3 (from 18:00)-5 (until 23:05), 16-24, 27 | 14,15, 28 (from 12:58 p.m.), 29, 30 (up to 12:58 p.m.) |
| October | 1-3 (until 08:02), 8-12, 16-19, 20-22 (until 09:06) | 14,15,28,29 |
Selection of planting material
Planting and caring for lilacs outdoors will be successful if you choose the right seedling. It should have a well-developed root system with numerous fine roots and green branches.
Characteristics of a seedling suitable for planting:
- age 2-3 years;
- it must be own-rooted;
- vaccinated;
- seedlings grow from 50 to 70 cm;
- root circumference 30 cm;
- the bark, when scratched, has a light green tint;
- The seedling should be elastic and not break when bent.
Such shoots tolerate transplantation more easily and take root better.
Location and soil
The soil and planting site should have the following characteristics:
- the soil is moist and moderate;
- groundwater at a level of 1.5-2 m from the top layer of soil;
- neutral or low soil acidity with high humus content;
- the sun illuminates the place for most of the day;
- absence of strong wind (for example, between tall, multi-year trees).
It's recommended to plant this shrub on a hill or flat area with good drainage. The plant dislikes shady spots. Without sun, it grows more slowly. Its blooms become less lush and colorful. In the shade, lilacs lose their decorative appearance: the shoots become very elongated, and the foliage becomes sparse.
Landing rules
- The distance between bushes should be no less than two meters (if they are planted next to each other, they will form a thicket).
- The planting holes should be several times larger than the pot in which the young bushes were located.
- The planting hole should be filled with a mixture of superphosphate, compost, and ash.
- Damaged roots are removed from the root system and branches are shortened.
- When planting in spring, the root system is soaked in Kornevin to help it take root better.
- To ensure the bush looks neat and doesn't sprout additional shoots, the distance from the ground to the base of the bush should be a couple of centimeters.
Step by step process
Planting lilacs in spring, summer, and fall – technology, step-by-step description:
- a hole is dug that is the same size as the length of the roots (usually 30 cm is enough);
- a drainage layer of pebbles or pieces of brick is laid out;
- a nutrient substrate is poured on top of the drainage;
- a bush is placed in the hole and the roots are straightened out;
- the soil is poured and compacted, the lilac is watered;
- After the water has been absorbed, the soil is sprinkled with a peat mixture or sawdust.
Post-planting care
To ensure your lilacs remain beautiful and healthy, care must be continued even after planting. It's fairly simple and requires minimal time.
Fertilizing, loosening and watering
If the shrub was planted correctly, lilacs don't need fertilizing for two years. During this period, the plant only needs to be watered when the soil dries out, loosened, and weeded. Cultivate the soil to a depth of five to eight centimeters. Fertilize three to four times a year.
After two years, the tree is fed with nitrogen fertilizer in the spring. This is then done every twelve months.
Once a shrub reaches four years of age, it needs to be fed with organic fertilizer. Experts recommend using a mullein solution at a ratio of 1 to 10. A couple of buckets of the solution are typically used per shrub. The solution is poured 50 cm away from the tree, not directly under it.
It is recommended to fertilize the shrub with wood ash. It can replace store-bought fertilizers. Before fertilizing, dilute 200-300 g of it in a bucket of water.
Lilacs are drought-resistant. Mature plants don't need watering. Young bushes under two years old require watering. Watering should be done in the summer, during dry periods.
Trimming
Lilacs are grown as either shrubs or trees. In the former case, to promote lush foliage, only eight to ten of the most beautiful branches are left in the third or fourth year after planting. All the rest are pruned. The base is also shortened.
When growing lilacs as trees, they are also pruned. Only one, the strongest branch, is left. The shoots 60-70 cm below the top are removed from this branch, leaving only seven to eight pairs. These are then pinched off, leaving only seven branches. To ensure fuller blooms, the flower buds are trimmed.
This procedure is recommended to be performed in early spring. If this is not possible, the procedure can be carried out throughout the season. Pruning should not be carried out in the fall. The cut on the branch will not have time to heal before winter and will freeze.
A beautiful and well-groomed lilac will decorate any plot. Moreover, many good signs and superstitions surround it. For example, a lilac with five petals is said to bring happiness and good luck.
