How to Transplant Lilacs
Lilacs, a woody flowering plant native to the olive family, adds appeal to any home garden or shrubbery. Home owners find the benefits of lilacs in the plant's drought-resistant and hardy composition. Beginning home gardeners may discover the simplicity of transplanting lilacs from runner pots to isolated areas. Late fall yields the best results when transplanting mature lilacs. Do not attempt to transplant lilacs younger than three years old.
Choose an appropriate location that will provide enough sun
exposure and wind barrier for the lilac plant. Shielding the lilac
from harsh winds will protect its tendency to break
under pressure. Pour a bucket of water on the new site. This
will ensure the planting site provides adequate drainage.
Designate an area measured four feet in diameter and three feet in
depth. Provide equal parts peat and sand.Dig a hole
measuring the exact diameter and depth of the lilac's spread. In
other words, if the lilac measures five feet tall and three
feet wide, then the hole's dimensions must also match those measurements.Return to the original lilac location. Position the
shovel directly under the limbs and gently dig a
well-rounded circle in a 45 degree angle around the center
roots. Adjust the shovel and then carefully pry upward until fully
dislodging the plant.Place the lilac on a
wheelbarrow or hand cart. Pour a bucket a
water into the bottom of the new hole to reduce
transplant shock. Gently place the lilac plant into the hole.
Refill the hole with dirt or store-bought soil, while pressing
against the plant's roots to close any existing spaces with your heel's pressure. Pour another bucket of water over the
compacted soil.Water the lilac every day for the first three weeks, or until
the ground freezes. This helps the roots to recover and then
regrow in a fresh environment.