How Close to Plant Lilacs

By

redhatterb

When we owned a home, we planted a whole row of them along the back alley, and we planted them no further apart than 6 ft., because we wanted them for a privacy hedge, and to make it harder for people walking in the alley to decide to cut through our yard to get to the sidewalk or street in front of the house. Even then it took about ten years before they started touching each other.

By

kffrmw88

Lilacs can be planted in spring or fall and are not particularly fussy as to soil conditions, but require a well drained location. If your soil is very acid, adding lime to bring alkalinity up to ph 7.5 is all you need to do. Plant in an area where they receive full or partial sun. If planted as a screen or hedge, you can put them as close as six feet apart, otherwise leave 12 to 15 feet between plants to allow for unrestricted growth. They have a deep root system and are considered to be a low maintenance shrub with very little need of fertilizer. A handful or two of balanced all-purpose fertilizer, applied after blooming is more than adequate. A good thick layer of mulch will help retain moisture and keep weeds in check as well as provide a nice-looking backdrop for your plants.good luck.