what to feed lilacs in the spring

Lilac Fertilizing Tips

• Feed you lilacs during the second year of growth
• Fertilize in early spring before new growth
• Apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer
• Spread some fireplace ash around the drip line of your bush, for bigger and better blooms
• Bone meal can make soil more alkaline
• Epsom salt once per month can make plant grow bushier and produce more flowers

Full Answer

What is the best food for lilacs?

Organic plant food usually consists of bone meal, feather meal, earthworm castings, and kelp. These ingredients feed microbes present in the soil that then furnish nutrients to your lilacs. Lilac shrubs usually do not require much organic feeding or fertilizers.

What is the best fertilizer for lilac bushes?

Lilac bushes can benefit from a spring feeding, especially if you have poor soil. However, don't use a fertilizer that's high in nitrogen, which can lead to poor blooming. Instead, use a balanced fertilizer, following label instructions.

What do lilac bushes need to survive?

Like many plants, your Lilacs will benefit from compost and humus worked into the soil, to help retain some water during dry spells, and to provide nutrients. Lilac bushes do not need a lot of fertilizer or organic feeding.

When to feed lilacs after they bloom?

You have to feed lilacs after they bloom in spring. Make sure to give them good quality plant food and follow the directions given on the label.

Is Miracle Gro good for lilacs?

When fertilizing lilacs, you can use the Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food. The fertilizer will not burn the foliage and is a great product.

How do you feed a lilac bush?

Lilac bushes do not need a lot of fertilizer or organic feeding. Fertilize the bushes with a high Phosphorous formula in early spring, to promote blooming. Too much nitrogen in the soil will result in poor blooms. Use a general-purpose fertilizer in early summer.

How do you take care of lilacs in the spring?

Each spring, apply a layer of compost under the plant, followed by mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Lilacs won't bloom if they're overfertilized. They can handle a handful of 10-10-10 in late winter, but no more.

How often do you fertilize lilacs?

For the best shrub care, fertilize with a well-balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer once in early spring before new growth appears. NOTE: This is part 4 in a series of 8 articles.

How do I get more flowers on my lilac bush?

Here are some tips to make sure yours bloom:Usually, insufficient sunlight is the problem. A minimum of six hours of sun is needed each day.Too much nitrogen can be a problem. Often lilacs are planted in the lawn and fertilizers used to green up lawns are high in nitrogen. ... Make sure you prune at the right time.

How do you make a lilac Fuller?

Trimming lilacs is best accomplished using clippers. Remove spent blooms all the way to the stems to prevent seeding and encourage more blooms later on. Cut back about a third of the branches. Cut away shoots growing near the ground that may be sprouting from the main trunk.

Do lilacs need fertilizer?

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. They may be fertilized at planting with a superphosphate and limestone to sweeten the soil and avoid excess acidity.

Can you prune lilacs in early spring?

Although you'll be losing some flowers for the current year, pruning overgrown lilacs is easiest early in the spring before the branches leaf out. After three consecutive years of pruning your overgrown lilac in this way, new shoots should comprise the bulk of the plant.

What month do you prune lilac bushes?

When To Prune. As a general rule for all lilacs, they should be pruned immediately after they're done flowering in the spring. Since lilacs set next year's flower buds right after the current year's flowers have faded, pruning later in the summer or fall will result in cutting off many or all of next year's flowers.

Are coffee grounds good for lilacs?

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

How do you keep lilacs healthy?

Lilacs should be pruned yearly to develop a good framework of stems and promote vigorous growth that enhances flowering. Yearly pruning consists of cutting diseased, misshapen, and unproductive stems to the ground. I also thin and remove some stems to encourage properly spaced, vigorous growth.

What fertilizer has high phosphorus?

Fertilizers that are high in phosphorus include mushroom compost, hair, rock phosphate, bone meal, burned cucumber skins, bat guano, fish meal, cottonseed meal, worm castings, blood meal, manure, and compost. Of course, you can use a mixture of any of these sources of phosphorus, depending on what you have available.

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.

What causes brown leaves on lilacs?

Bacterial blight – The bacteria Pseudomonas syringae causes early shoot and branch dieback, distorted leaves, and leaf spots that start out olive green but soon develop water-soaked areas. Those spots turn brown with yellow margins and begin to die. Blossoms may become limp or turn brown suddenly.

What causes a lilac bush not to bloom?

A. There are several possible reasons why your lilac fails to bloom. The most common cause is lack of adequate sunlight. Lilacs (Syringa) need to be planted in a location that receives at least six hours of strong, direct sun per day.

Why are my lilacs powdery?

Hot, humid weather can cause a powdery mildew to form on the leaf. Lilac plants do not need a lot of fertilizing or organic feeding. We recommend using a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus to promote flowering. Too much nitrogen in the soil can result in poor blooms.

What is the best fertilizer for lilacs?

Bone meal is also a great fertilizer for lilac plants because it makes soil more alkaline. Bone meal is a natural plant food that is easy for the lilac to intake. Using Epsom salt once per month on your lilac plant can make the plant grow bushier and produce more flowers (2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water).

Do lilacs need fertilizer?

Lilacs are known to be an easily cultivated flower. This low maintenance plant is great for gardeners who do not have a lot of time to garden. Lilac plants do not need a lot of fertilizer. We recommend fertilizing your plant after the second year of planting.

Can you use bone meal on lilacs?

Adding bone meal to the soil can make it more alkaline. If you choose to feed your plant in the spring, you can use Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® Flowering Trees & Shrubs Plant Food. Lastly, Lilac plants do not like acidic soil. you can use Epsom salts during the dormant period to help promote blooming.

What is the purpose of phosphorus in lilacs?

Phosphorous helps your lilacs to store and use energy, including in its photosynthesis process. It is responsible for the healthy growth of roots. It also enhances your lilac’s fruit and flower production. Phosphorous is an essential nutrient that helps your lilacs to grow and develop.

What nutrients do lilacs need to bloom?

This ratio is generally referred to as NPK in fertilizers. Every plant needs nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous to grow. If they do not receive these nutrients in an adequate amount, they fail to bloom. These nutrients are necessary for lilacs to have optimum health.

What is the NPK of lilacs?

NPK refers to the composition of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium levels in the fertilizer. They provide the necessary nutrients for the healthy growth of your lilacs. Make sure that your fertilizer has a well balanced NPK ratio. Otherwise, it leads to heavy blooms and excessive foliage.

How long do lilacs live?

The lifespan of a lilac bush is more than 100 years. Some lilacs even have a life expectancy of about 350 years or more! They have a long life mostly because they are very hardy and can grow with very low-maintenance.

Why are my lilac leaves curling up?

Lilac leaves can curl up for quite a few different reasons. Leaves curling up along with crispy edges are usually a sign of dehydration. It is a sign that the lilac bushes are not receiving enough sunshine and water.

What is the best food for lilacs?

Organic plant food usually consists of bone meal, feather meal , earthworm castings, and kelp. These ingredients feed microbes present in the soil that then furnish nutrients to your lilacs. Lilac shrubs usually do not require much organic feeding or fertilizers.

How much sunlight does a lilac need?

They also require full sunlight for a minimum of six hours for strong flowering. Lilacs love humus-rich, fertile, neutral to alkaline soil with a pH nearing 7.0 When nurtured well, it can grow up to 2.5 m (8 feet). Some varieties also grow up to 9 m (30 feet). Healthy nutrition and proper care can ensure that your lovely lilacs live for decades. ...

What is the best plant for low maintenance?

If you value low-maintenance gardening then the lilac bush (Syringa vulgaris) is the perfect plant for you. A deciduous shrub, the lilac thrives in almost any type of soil, it isn't bothered by insects and doesn't require a lot of fertilizer. Apply a fresh layer of mulch around the lilac bush.

Why do lilacs have less flowers?

If your lilac bush is growing in or near the lawn, keep lawn fertilizers away from the lilac's root zone as excess nitrogen will cause the plant to produce more foliage and fewer flowers.

Is a lilac a shrub?

Lilacs provide the garden a light, sweet fragrance in the spring and the fragrance can be brought indoors with cut flowers. A deciduous shrub, the lilac thrives in almost any type of soil, it isn't bothered by insects ...

How much Epsom salt should I use for lilacs?

Do this once per month; the general rule is 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water. Note that lilacs won't bloom if they're overfertilized, though.

Why isn't my lilac flowering?

Because of its hardiness, versatility and attractiveness, the lilac is a widely beloved plant. However, if your lilac isn't flowering, this could be due to several factors. To help speed the process along, it can be helpful to apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to the soil.

What are lilacs used for?

Lilacs also have a wide range of uses in the home garden. They can serve as border plants, corner plantings, windscreens or flowering hedges.

When should I prune a lilac tree?

Since lilacs bloom on old wood, you should prune this plant in the spring right after it's done flowering for the year , or you may be pruning too much. Severe pruning results in the loss of blooms for one to three years.

What pH should I use for lilacs?

Soil should be neutral to alkaline at a pH near 7.0. (Rest assured that lilacs can grow well in virtually any other type of soil.) To help your plants retain moisture and for weed control, apply a layer of compost under your lilacs every spring. Lilacs seldom need supplemental water if rainfall is steady.

Can you use Epsom salt on lilacs?

Bonemeal is also an excellent fertilizer for lilacs, as it contains the lime that can sweeten acid soil. Perhaps surprisingly, using Epsom salt and sugar for your plants can be beneficial when it comes to speeding up flower production. Epsom salt can make plants grow bushier, produce more flowers and even increase chlorophyll production along ...

Do lilacs need water?

Lilacs seldom need supplemental water if rainfall is steady. In drought conditions, it's best to water them. Every year after your lilacs have bloomed, remove any dead wood. Another way to help encourage flowering is to keep the grass growing around your lilacs.

How to keep weeds from growing on my bushes?

Apply compost and mulch to the plant in early spring. Spread a layer of compost around the base of the bush. Then add a 2 to 4 inch (5 to 10 cm) layer of mulch on top. This will discourage weeds from growing while keeping the soil moist.

How to get rid of lilac leafminers?

To get rid of leafminers, you can spray non-toxic neem oil or an insecticide, like Diazinon or Orthene, on the leaves of the plant.

How to get rid of a water pool under a bush?

If you notice a standing pool of water, it means that the soil is not draining well enough. Adding mulch, perlite, sand, or compost to the soil under the bush can improve drainage.

How to grow a sage bush?

2. Thin the branches in the center of the bush. Thinning out the center of the bush allows more sun and air to reach the inner branches of the plant. Choose the tallest or largest canes to cut down to ground level. New growths will sprout in their place. 3.

How to get rid of powdery mildew on leaves?

Powdery mildew forms white circles on the leaves. It is usually harmless, although it can be unsightly. If you want to get rid of it, you can spray the leaves with a fungicide .

How long does it take for a sage bush to grow back?

Cut the entire bush down to 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) high. It will take two or three years for the bush to recover before it starts flowering again, but it will grow more flowers when it does.

Who is Maggie Moran?

Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 8,226 times. Lilacs are a treasured part of a garden thanks to their fragrant flowers. Although these bushes are fairly low maintenance, ...

How much sun do lilacs need?

Grow lilac bushes in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. Lilacs will tolerate some shade, but too little light can limit their bloom. They do not do well in full shade.

What are the different types of lilacs?

There are several types of lilac bushes that vary somewhat in appearance, including: 1 'Wedgewood Blue': This compact lilac variety attains a height at maturity of only 6 feet with a spread equal to that. The flowers are contained in thick clusters of lavender blue. It thrives in zones 3 through 8. 2 'Yankee Doodle': A small lilac bush with deep purple, fragrant blooms, Yankee Doodle is a bit more cold-hardy than the main species, suitable for zones 2 through 8. It grows 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. 3 'Belle de Nancy': This variety has double pink flowers (multiple layers of petals) and grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. It blooms in late spring to early summer and is suitable for zones 3 through 9. 4 'Madame Lemoine': Blooming with bright white double flowers, this lilac variety stands tall at up to 15 feet high and 12 feet wide. It is suitable for zones 3 through 8. 5 'Primrose': Primrose is a standard-size lilac that grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide. It is notable for its yellow flowers that still deliver the beloved sweet lilac fragrance. It is suitable for zones 3 through 7.

What causes lilacs to turn powdery?

Lilacs are fairly hardy shrubs and can survive most pest and disease problems. However, they are susceptible to several. The fungal disease powdery mildew is commonly seen on lilacs, especially during humid summers. It creates whitish powdery patches on the foliage. There are both chemical fungicides and natural methods for combatting powdery mildew. The disease usually won’t be fatal, but you should still treat your lilac as soon as possible to limit its spread. Common pests that can affect lilacs and damage their foliage include scales and borers. If you spot these tiny insects on the stems and undersides of leaves, treat your plant with neem oil or another insecticide.

How tall do lilac bushes get?

There are several types of lilac bushes that vary somewhat in appearance, including: 'Wedgewood Blue': This compact lilac variety attains a height at maturity of only 6 feet with a spread equal to that. The flowers are contained in thick clusters of lavender blue. It thrives in zones 3 through 8.

How big does a primrose lilac get?

It is suitable for zones 3 through 8. 'Primrose': Primrose is a standard-size lilac that grows 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide. It is notable for its yellow flowers that still deliver the beloved sweet lilac fragrance. It is suitable for zones 3 through 7.

When do lilacs bloom?

Common lilac bushes ( Syringa vulgaris) are deciduous shrubs that bloom in the late spring. They are part of the olive family, along with other such ornamental plants as ash trees, forsythia bushes, and privet shrubs. The outstanding quality of many lilac varieties is the sweet fragrances of their flowers. The blooms appear in the mid- ...

Do lilacs need water?

Water young lilacs regularly to keep the soil lightly moist. Mature plants typically will only need watering during periods of drought.

How to Take Care of Your Lilacs?

• Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to plant lilac bushes. You have to plant bushes at 5 to 15 feet distance from one another, depending on their varieties. They also require full sunlight for a minimum of six hours for strong flowering. Lilacs love humus-rich, fertile, neutral to alkaline soil with a pH nearing 7.0 When nurtured well, it can gr...

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