Lilacs are considered the most carefree of all shrubs. Planting them is super easy, and all they need is good drainage, lots of sunlight, annual pruning, and fertile soil. If you’ve chosen your site carefully, the only thing that you should provide is yearly pruning. That way, your lilac bush will remain in a nice shape.
Of all the plants that you can find in Colorado, lilacs are pretty common, and you can find them almost everywhere. Many people wonder when to plant lilacs in Colorado? If you have the same question in mind, this post may help!
When is the right time to plant lilacs in Colorado?
Like other plants, lilacs have their strengths and weaknesses. However, lilacs are one of the sustainable shrubs that you can find in Colorado. They are drought tolerant and tough. With lilacs, you can enjoy a wide variety of fragrances, colors, flowers, and forms.
Spring after the ground became thawed is the best time to plant lilacs in Colorado. Alternatively, you can grow these shrubs in the fall before the soil temperature drops and the ground freezes.
The gorgeous purple-blue flower blooms in late May and increases the visual appearance of your garden. However, the flowers have limited blooming time in Colorado, which is around two weeks.
What are the factors you should consider when planting lilacs in Colorado?
There are certain factors to keep in mind when planting lilacs.
The first thing to take care of is the location. Choose an area that receives plenty of afternoon sun along with a well-drained water system. Lilacs favor good drainage; planting them slightly on an elevated surface is always recommended.
After you plant the bushes, water them deeply and add an extra layer of mulch. Try planting the lilacs in an area that receives at least 6 hours of continuous sunlight every day. However, it is not that the shrub won’t grow if you plant them in shady areas. The only visible difference will be in terms of blooms, which will be fewer compared to plants grown in areas with exposed sunlight.
How do you plant lilacs the right way?
Lilacs range from dwarf variants that are up to 8 feet or 2.5m tall and the bigger ones that have a height of up to 30 feet or 9m. When you plant lilacs in the right way, these beautiful plants can last in your garden for a decade or so.
Spring is the best time for you to plant lilacs in Colorado. Upon purchasing the lilac plant, remove all types of packaging from the root system and soak them in tepid water for about 15 minutes.
Situate the plant with its roots spread vertically. Also, make the hole wide and deep enough to accommodate the plant with ease. When you are planting more than one lilac bush, make sure to maintain a space of about 5 feet or 1.5m between them.
That way, you can avoid overcrowding even when you plan to use the plant for privacy purposes. Ensure that the area has adequate drainage. Water them thoroughly and mulch thick enough to retain moisture and keep out weeds. Pruning prevents the bushes from diseases like powdery mildew.
Related Article: Do Lilacs Need Fertilizer?