What do do with new lilacs that arrived after first snow?

Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:19 pm

I just received 3 new lilacs in the mail, from a nursery. I didn't know whether to plant them this late in the season or not. Then it snowed. The snow has since melted but it is in the forecast again. What do I do with the lilacs? Am I able to plant them inside in pots until spring? What does everyone suggest?

Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:38 pm

Hi Joyeln,

Since they are in pots I would suggest you just sink the pots into the ground up to their rims for the winter and mulch. You can pull the pots in the spring, add compost to the planting bed (not just the hole) and mulch. I did that with 500 potted plants and only lost about 10 of them.

Newt

Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:56 pm

Unfortunately, the lilacs are just in plastic bags currently.

Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:17 pm

Is it possible for you to find some nursery pots and put them in there? They will establish their roots better in the pots sunken into the ground. If not, go ahead and plant them asap. Use 3" of mulch but not piled around the stems of the plants.

Newt