I tried growing a persian lilac last year, supposedly they grow well on the Southeastern coast. In fact, garden centers here will only carry that one and the 'Miss Kim' lilac.
Anyway, after I planted it, we had a rainy spell for about 2 weeks straight. A few weeks later I noticed little spots all over the leaves...my poor lilac got leaf blight

I don't know if it was because of the rain, or if it had the virus already...I ended up pulling it up this spring because it was so infected.
I'm so tempted to try the 'Miss Kim' variety, but am worried I will waste more money. I just really want a lilac...maybe if I plant it in a different spot it will do better? I don't know.
I'm from Canada, and we can grow great big lilac trees...I miss them.
