Junebug
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 1:44 pm
Location: MAINE

Keeping my lilac bush in check

I love my main lilac bush but the roots go everywhere and into my other flower gardens, no matter how far away from the lilacs they are. Is there a way to keep shooters from spreading all over the place?

Newt
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1868
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 10:44 pm
Location: Maryland zone 7

Hi Junebug,

Lilcacs need alot of space to grow properly and flower well, especially if you don't have a dwarf selection. From the International Lilac Society:
https://lilacs.freeservers.com//lilac_tips.html
Site Planning

The location where your lilacs will go and grow should be chosen with care. Avoid wind swept areas for the vulgaris type lilacs. They do not stand well to this situation. Lilacs generally require a 100 sq. ft. area per plant to properly grow to their potential. Crowding lilacs will only make them grow tall and flower at the top of the plant.
You might want to consider moving it. Lilacs grow by suckers, and if you are doing alot of pruning to try and keep it small, that could be causing more suckering. You can also read at the above site about pruning and rejuvenation.

Newt



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