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lilac bush struggling #563612

Asked May 22, 2019, 3:26 PM EDT

I have 2 lilac bushes that have not bushed out since I planted them years ago.  There is always a lot of new growth and new shoots but in the springtime when I expect to see a nice bush, a lot (half or more) of the new growth or shoots have died.  It produces flowers that look weird on a bush without much bushy foliage.  I have a lot of clay soil - perhaps this is the problem?  One year I put a lot of compost around the base and they did better but still have a lot of dead wood.  I have pruned as I read I should - I have other lilacs in another location that are doing OK so far- what's with these and what do you recommend?  I have a rose of sharon in the same part of the yard next to the lilacs and looks full and lovely!  

Erie County New York

Expert Response

Thanks for your question. Without knowing all the details, it sounds like the clay soil may be one of your problems. Lilacs require good drainage as well as direct sunlight. Bonemeal is a good fertilizer for lilacs. Keep in mind that it can also take several years for the plants to become established.

If you haven't tested the PH of your soil, that may be a good place to start. Here is some information about that process:

Here is some additional information from Cornell about caring for lilacs in New York:

Honestly, sometimes the plants can just be really picky, and some don't thrive as well as others. Are the ones you are having challenges with the same cultivar as the ones that are doing well? Sometimes one type of lilac will do great, and another just isn't as hardy or productive. If after testing your soil and amending it with bonemeal or another fertilizer you still have the same problems, I would 1) reassess if you have enough light where the lilacs are planted and 2) consider replacing the existing bushes with another cultivar (maybe the one that is doing well elsewhere) or another plant.

I don't know if they answer questions from the public, but Highland Park in Rochester has the world's largest lilac collection and may be able to suggest good candidates for Erie county plantings: https://www.highlandparkconservancy.org/lilacs.

You might also try contacting the Monroe County extension office directly to see what they suggest: http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/

Hope this helps! Good luck with your lilacs.


An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2019, 11:52 AM EDT

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