How to Start Lilac Bushes

Lilac is the state bush of New York and is very aromatic and beautiful. Lilac bushes bloom for only a few weeks in the spring, but a variety of lilacs can be purchased to bloom later in the summer, providing the grower with a longer bloom time. There are more than 1,000 varieties of lilac to choose from. When not blooming, lilacs are nice, full-shade bushes. For successful transplanting, location, soil condition and root health are important factors.

Sunny location
Well-drained soil
Shovel
Pruning equipment
Compost

Instructions

Propagation
- 1
  Choose an appropriate location. Lilacs prefer a sunny location with well-drained soil in an elevated area. Site selection is very important for proper growth.
- 2
  Cut part of an existing lilac bush to start a new plant. Clip a well-developed root that is attached to the main bush and has shoots that are 1 or 2 feet tall. A good root system helps to ensure your new plant thrives. So take as much root as you can.
- 3
  Dig a hole twice as big as the root system you clipped to allow easy root expansion.
- 4
  Add compost to your soil. Lilacs love humus-rich soil.
- 5
  Plant three to five lilac shoots together.
- 6
  Tamp down the soil firmly using your shovel or boots, adding more soil as needed.
- 7
  Water the lilac bush regularly the first three to four weeks to help roots re-establish themselves.

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Instructions

Propagation