Syringa vulgaris Katherine Havemeyer

How to take care of Syringa vulgaris Katherine Havemeyer

For best results soak the roots for approx 2 hrs before planting and water well after planting and for the next few weeks. Lilacs need a fertile alkaline soil. If your soil is too acidic, your plant may refuse to bloom. Try to provide the best drainage, as heavy, wet soils will result in an unhappy lilac. The most important factor in lilac success is its root system. They will establish their roots before blooming, so you may have to wait 2-3 years before you see the total bloom effect. A few blooms may appear the first year or two, but they may not be the true flowers. Lilacs generally won’t bloom true to colour until established. One way to promote establishment and an earlier bloom is to avoid high nitrogen fertilizers and add higher levels of phosphorous and potassium. Lilacs don’t need regular pruning only to keep them in check. For the first few years, prune here and there to correct and distribute growth evenly. Prune out any dead or weak branches yearly. Apply organic dressing during early spring.