Tips for growing gorgeous, fragrant lilacs to beautify your home

Rosanne Loparco
·2 min read
Some of the lilac bushes buds are fragrant despite not being in full bloom at Highland Park in Rochester NY on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
Some of the lilac bushes buds are fragrant despite not being in full bloom at Highland Park in Rochester NY on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

There is nothing like the sweet scent of lilacs.

Their bright green foliage and tiny flowers bring beauty to the landscape. Lilacs are a fairly low-maintenance plant; however, there are some tips for success in growing lilacs.

More: Want your lawn to look awesome this year? Follow these tips

Importance of pruning

Lilacs do not need to be pruned in the first three years of growth. The young shoots that grow during the first few years are important for long-term growth. However, mature lilacs will flower better by regular pruning. Trim away large woody branches in the late spring, after the lilac is done blooming. You can find a short video from the University of Maine to help you prune your lilacs at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jyI4-FLRZc

Lilacs need sun

Lilacs need from six to eight hours of sunlight every day to reach their full potential. Well-drained soil also is necessary. Without these conditions, lilacs can survive but they won't bloom well and the plant could be susceptible to disease or insect issues.

Check your soil pH

Lilacs prefer slightly acidic to alkaline soil with a low level of nitrogen. Let our CCE of Oneida County help you check your soil pH by submitting a soil sample before you plant a lilac. If your lilac isn't doing well, you may also want to do a soil test. Find more information about how to take a soil sample by visiting our website at http://cceoneida.com/home-garden/gardening/soils-climate

Lilacs are loved for their carefree flowering, their toughness, reliability and fragrance. They can grow for many years, often outliving the homes they were planted around. It's no wonder the National Garden Bureau has named 2022 the Year of the Lilac. For more tips on success with lilacs, visit their website at https://ngb.org/

Join us for our Annual Herb & Flower Festival from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18 on the CCE grounds and Parker F. Scripture gardens at 121 Second St. in Oriskany. For more information, visit http://cceoneida.com/ and click on the Herb & Flower Festival picture. Or phone 315-736-3394, (Dial “1” when you hear the recording, and then hit x100.)

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Lilacs: Tips for growing these gorgeous, fragrant plants at home