Care

• 1). Water lilacs when rainfall is less than 2 inches per week. Water slowly so that the water sinks into the soil rather than running off.
  
  
• 2). Fertilize lilacs with a complete fertilizer in late winter or early spring and again after they bloom. If you prefer to use compost, spread a layer of compost under the tree in spring.
  
  
• 3). Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to the soil around the lilac shrub in spring to keep the soil moist and weeds to a minimum. If you use compost, apply the mulch on top of the compost.
  
  
• 4). Apply lime around the tree in fall if your soil is acidic. Apply the lime as far out as the ends of the branches.
  
  

Pruning

• 1). Prune lilacs immediately after flowering. Remove dead or damaged branches and then cut back to maintain the desired size.
  
  
• 2). Establish the shape of young shrubs and encourage bushiness by pinching or trimming the ends of the branches in spring.
  
  
• 3). Prune old or overgrown lilacs in winter while the shrub is fully dormant. You can reduce the size by as much as one-third without damaging the shrub.
  
  
• 4). Remove spent flowers promptly to preserve the vigor of the plant.