Old Fashioned Lilac for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on June 14, 2022

Planting instructions

Old-fashioned lilacs survive in hardiness zones 3-7 and enjoy an area that receives full sunlight in all parts of that range. The root systems of these plants will adapt best to soils that have great drainage, an acidity level close to neutral, and an abundance of organic material. Once you find an area with those conditions, create a planting hole as deep as the root ball is tall and at least twice as wide. Adding peat moss to your planting hole often helps this tree get off to a great start.

Watering and nutrients

Like most newly planted woody shrubs, your old-fashioned lilac will need consistent soil moisture while it attempts to settle into a new growing location. After your plant is established, water it throughout the growing season enough to allow no more than the top inch of soil to dry out. Give your old-fashioned lilac fertilizer about once per year in the spring. Products with more phosphorus are often best as they tend to encourage better flowering.

Pollination

The flowers of an old-fashioned lilac will attract many pollinators, including honeybees and butterflies, which will only make your garden more charming overall. However, this plant is versatile, also relying on wind and rain to carry its pollen from one flower to another. Upon pollination, the old-fashioned lilac produces small green non-toxic fruits that are rarely grown for consumption. Pollination should not be a major concern as you raise this plant.

Pruning

Pruning for old-fashioned lilacs should take place as soon as the flowers fade in the spring. Be sure to remove each spent flower, as this will prompt your old-fashioned lilac to produce more flowers in future seasons. Your goals should also include thinning the inner canopy of this tree to promote better air circulation and lower the risk of moisture-related diseases that can arise. Beyond that, use your pruning to remove any damaged or dead limbs from your plant.

Pests, diseases, and animals

One of the most significant downsides to growing an old-fashioned lilac is that these plants are vulnerable to many diseases. Powdery mildew is one of the most prevalent concerns for an old-fashioned lilac, but leaf spots, ring spots, and different forms of blight can present issues too. The pests that may infect your shrub include hornets, caterpillars, leaf miners, scale insects, borers, and a wide range of other insects. Considering the old-fashioned lilac faces so many threats, remain vigilant the entire time you grow it.

Achieving maximum results

Part of the reason that lilacs grow best in full sunlight is that they can be somewhat prone to frost damage. More sun keeps your plant warmer in early spring to prevent this damage, and some wind protection can help too. On the positive side, the old-fashioned lilac is incredibly easy to propagate. Just cut one of the shoots that grow from the base, including some roots, then plant that shoot elsewhere in your garden.

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