How to Grow Evergreen Lilacs

Evergreen Lilacs are native to California, and just like their European cousins, offer a variety of purple flowers and foliage. The California Lilacs are as easily propagated as others, but have the advantage of having evergreen foliage. This combination of evergreen leaves and bouquets of purple flowers makes them a common choice for border hedges or as individual specimen plants. In addition, the fragrance of the California lilac is quite pleasant, and not quite as strong as the French varieties.

Soil test kit
Agricultural Limestone
Shovel
18-6-12 fertilizer
Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Test the soil in the area you are going to plant your lilac bushes. California Lilacs prefer a pH value of 6.5 to 7.0 but will grow in soil as low as 6.0. If the soil does not fall in this range, the pH can be augmented by mixing in agricultural limestone.
- 2
  Dig a hole at least 1 foot larger in depth and diameter than the root ball of the lilac you will be planting. If you are planting multiple lilacs, leave at least 15 feet between plantings (unless you are building a hedge, in which case the spacing should be 6 feet).
- 3
  Fill the bottom of the hole with a mix of 18-6-12 fertilizer and soil to a depth of 1 foot.
- 4
  Place the root ball in the hole and fill in around it with soil. The crown of the root ball should be level with the height of the surrounding ground.
- 5
  Cover the area of the dig with mulch, and water generously. The root ball should be kept moist for the first two weeks after planting. One month after planting, add another batch of 18-6-12 fertilizer at a rate of 2 ounces for every 4 square feet of surface area that was originally planted.

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