How do I successfully transplant a 80(?) year old lilac bush in my backyard?
Question:
Answers:
Does the lilac bush have any saplings running off of the main plant? If so, you may want to divide them from the main bush and try re-growing the lilac from these saplings.
If moving the whole main bush, definitely wait until it is done blooming (should be by now). I would recommend moving the plant in the fall, when then leaves start to change but while there is still time so the soil hasn't froze.
It has been suggested to me by my local greenhouse that lilacs like a good hard pruning every 5 years or so. This will spur new limbs that have more flower buds. You may have to wait a year without the plant blooming, but the increase in flowers the following year will be worth it.
Good luck on this one - I would imagine that the roots will be very deep & wide. Get a shovel & dig dig dig - prepare a good new home for it - dig the new hole about 1-2 times bigger than the root system & plant. water profusely for the first 2 -3 weeks if it doesn't rain - when I plant new trees/shrubs I leave the hose running at the base for 1-2 hours, and do that 2-3 times each week for 3-4 weeks.
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