Can I Plant Lilacs Next To My House?
Are you looking for a flowering shrub that adds beauty and fragrant blooms to your garden? If so, you may want to consider planting lilacs next to your house! While it may seem like they wouldn’t do well in such close quarters, lilac roots aren’t considered invasive and as long as you leave enough space between the tree, or shrub, and the structure, there is little risk from planting them near foundations.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about planting and caring for lilac shrubs around your house – from when and where to plant them, how to prune and deadhead them, and everything in between!
What Are Lilacs?
Lilacs are deciduous shrubs that belong to the genus Syringa, which encompasses over 20 different species of plants found across Europe and Asia. These flowering shrubs produce beautiful clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, blue or yellow depending on the species.
Some varieties can grow up to 12 feet tall while others stay more compact at around 4 feet in height – all with attractive dark green foliage throughout the year that turns yellow-brown in autumn before dropping off in wintertime.
What Are the Benefits of Planting Lilacs Near a House?
Lilac plants are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to add some color and fragrance near their home without taking up too much space or needing too much maintenance. They also attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies while providing a habitat for birds like robins, sparrows, wrens and finches who love nesting in their branches during summertime!
How To Plant Lilacs Near A House
When planting lilac shrubs near your house, you should make sure there is at least one-and-a-half times the width of the shrub between it and any structures or walls on either side – this will help ensure that its roots have enough room to spread out without damaging any foundations or other parts of your property over time.
You should also choose an area with well-draining soil that gets plenty of sunlight (at least six hours each day) as these plants prefer bright conditions during springtime when they bloom most heavily!
The Best Time To Plant Lilacs
The best time of year to plant lilac bushes is in early spring just before they begin flowering – this will give them plenty of time to establish their root systems before summer heat arrives (which could damage young plants).
You can also plant them during fall if necessary but it’s important that temperatures don’t drop below freezing until after they’ve had time to become established (which usually takes about three months).
What Type Of Soil Is Best For Planting Lilacs?
Lilac shrubs prefer soil with a neutral pH level (between 6-7) – if your soil is too acidic or alkaline it could affect how well they grow so consider having a soil sample tested before planting if necessary!
They also prefer moist but well-draining soil that has plenty of organic matter mixed into it – adding some compost or aged manure will help ensure their roots have what they need for healthy growth over time!
How To Care For Lilacs
Once your lilac plants are established they require minimal care, however there are some things you should be aware of in order to keep them looking their best: water regularly during dry periods, trim back dead branches each spring, mulch around their base each fall, remove any diseased or damaged leaves as soon as possible, fertilize annually with a balanced fertilizer formulated specifically for flowering shrubs, protect from extreme temperatures by covering with burlap if necessary, check for pests frequently and treat accordingly if found.
How To Prune And Deadhead Lilacs
Pruning is an important part of caring for lilac bushes as it helps promote healthier growth by removing old and dead branches while encouraging new ones to form – this should be done annually just after flowering has finished so as not to damage any new buds coming forth!
Deadheading (removing faded flowers) is also beneficial as it encourages more blooms throughout the season by preventing seed formation which can drain energy from the plant instead of allowing it focus on producing flowers again next year!
How To Protect The Roots Of Your Lilac Plants From Damage
The roots of lilac plants can be easily damaged by activity such as digging or construction work near them – so make sure you keep an eye out for any potential hazards in order to prevent any unnecessary damage!
If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions (hot summers/cold winters) then consider using protective mulch around the base such as hay or straw which will help insulate their roots from extreme temperatures while also helping retain moisture levels during dry periods.
How To Fertilize Your Plants
Fertilizing your lilac plants annually can help promote healthy growth by providing essential nutrients like nitrogen which helps increase leaf production, phosphorous which aids root development, potassium which fortifies stems & branches, magnesium which helps create stronger blooms & buds, sulfur which helps promote overall health & vigor, iron which increases chlorophyll production & photosynthesis, manganese which supports flower production & fruit set, zinc which aids new growth & bud formation, copper which encourages disease resistance & flower coloration, boron which aids pollen germination & fruit set…and more! Use a balanced fertilizer formulated specifically for flowering shrubs applied according to directions on packaging for best results – typically once per year just after flowering has finished!
Conclusion
Planting lilac bushes near your house can provide beauty & fragrance year round without taking up too much space – just make sure there is enough room between structures & walls on either side (at least one-and-a-half times the width of the bush) so its roots have room to spread out without damaging anything over time! With proper care & attention these lovely flowering plants will reward you with an abundance of fragrant blooms come springtime each year – cheers!
