Try to keep a mixture of old and new growth so as to allow the lilac to continue thriving and never remove more than a third of its foliage in a year. Lilacs prefer humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. They thrive in full sun and, once established, are relatively maintenance-free. A position in full sun is best as not only does it improve flowering, it intensifies the fragrance. Palibin standards can be grown in containers if you wish using a soil based compost such as John Innes No.3.

After you have finished pruning your Standard Lilac tree, it is important to know what to do next. This section will cover how to properly care for your tree after you have completed the pruning process. Allow for the size of the your lilac tree when it is mature. Thereare some dwarf varieties but in general the spread and height will be inthe region of 3m / 10ft. If you are choosing a lilac tree then you may want to see some of them growing in gardens and collections around the UK. Below we list some of the best locations. Pruning each year in this manner will also prevent the plant from becoming unruly. 4) Tip-Off Longer Stems The article is a complete care guide for growing a lilac tree in your yard. In addition, you will also find out about the best lilac plants to grow if you want to grow a hardy tree in your garden. How to Care for a Lilac TreeHaving said that, it’s important to prune your lilac bush or tree regularly to avoid it becoming unruly and unkempt. Lilac ‘Monge’—A stunning lilac tree with fragrant, magenta-purple flowers blooming in late spring and lasting four weeks.

For established and newly planted lilacs they will benefit if you feed themonce a year with three handfuls of blood, fish and bone sometime around the fourth week of April 2015. Sprinkle the feed around the soil at the edges of the canopy of the tree where new roots will be able to benefit from it. At the same time spread a layer of mulch (grassclippings are ideal) around the base of the tree (but not touching the stems) to a depth of 8cm /3in to conserve moisture and provide trace elementsas it rots down. Dig the planting hole twice as wide as the container. Always plant at the same level the plant was in the container. Pot-grown shrubs can be planted at any time of the year as long as the soil is not waterlogged or frozen. If in doubt, err towards spring but remember to keep pots well-watered so that the soil does not dry out. The two most important tools for pruning are a pair of pruning shears and a small hand saw. Pruning shears come in two basic types: anvil and bypass. Anvil type shears have one sharpened blade that closes against a flat surface. Bypass type shears have two sharpened blades that slide past each other like scissors. Pruning to this point is a good strategy because it will guarantee that you do not accidentally remove next year’s buds, but still enhance flowering as much as possible come the following spring.Lilacs flower on two-year-old wood, so to prune them accordingly. Pruning can be done after flowering. For shape maintenance, a light pruning is sufficient. Lilacs ( Syringa) are small trees or large shrubs, part of the olive family. They are best known for their stunning spring blossom. While many varieties - as the common name suggests - have lilac-coloured blossom, there are also varieties with mauve, purple, white or yellow blossom. Common Lilacs From Top Left: Syringa Vulgaris Michel Buchner, Syringa Vulgaris Nadezhda; Syringa Vulgaris Sensation; Madame Antoine Buchner, Belle De Nancy and Ruhm Von Horstenstein Lilacs can grow without any pruning but in time they become leggy with the flowers only being produced at the top of the shrub. Your complete guide to pruning lilacs can be found here. Dwarf cultivars suited to growing in containers are also available for sale from selected nurseries. The growth rate will vary from 30 to 60cm a year, depending on climate, soil and variety.

I clean my pruning tools after every use, cleaning away any sap and dirt and using a sharpening stone to ensure that when next used they are sharp. Therefore, you should keep your pruning shears as sharp as you can – don’t be afraid to replace them altogether if they’re beyond saving.Top tip for growing a lilac tree: Spread a 3” or 4” (7.5 – 10 cm) layer of mulch around the root area to help keep the ground moist and prevent weeds from growing. Fertilizing Lilac Trees Madame Lemoine’—One of the best lilac trees for producing pure white conical clusters of flowers. Lilac bloom time is in late spring, and the flowers persist for up to four weeks. A newly planted lilac tree requires watering more frequently to become established. Unless there is sufficient rainfall, thoroughly water the young tree once a week to prevent the soil from drying out. It’s slow growing, easy to care for, perfect for pots and very hardy too - why not try growing as a fragrant flowering hedge for something a little bit different?

July is generally too late to undertake maintenance without incurring adverse effects on the following year’s blooms, while autumn pruning is out of the question altogether. 1) Prepare Your Tools When shaping your tree, it’s important to make sure that all cuts are clean and even. Avoid leaving stubs, as these can encourage new growth that is weak and difficult to control. Pruning lilacs is best done in early spring, before new growth begins. Be mindful that this type of aggressive pruning can endanger the next spring’s blossoms, but it will be worth it in the long run. A small hand saw is also necessary for pruning lilac trees. The best type of saw to use is a pole saw, which consists of a small hand saw blade attached to the end of a long pole. This type of saw is ideal for reaching high branches without the use of a ladder. Leaf miners can also affect lilac foliage. The moth larvae burrow through leaves, giving them a blotchy appearance. This can result in the leaves turning brown. Therefore, it’s best to remove all leaves showing signs of leaf miner activity.The first step to transplant a lilac tree is to prepare the new hole. In the sunniest location of your garden, dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the tree’s root ball. Fill the hole with water and allow it to drain. This helps to ensure successful transplanting. Please note, we cannot guarantee delivery on a certain day or time. Delivery to outlying postcode areas may take 1-2 days longer, dependent on your location.