Moving a lilac - now or later?

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Mar 12, 2012

We have a lanky lilac (just a plain old S. vulgaris, as best I can tell) planted on the east side of our house - my guess it's been here for 3-4 years. (It was not planted by us :-)

It's just starting to leaf out. I have a great, open sunny spot picked out for it...can I move it now and still expect some blooms, or should I wait until fall to move it? (I don't know how well it will bloom regardless - it's poorly sited, to say the least.)

Transplanting tips and advice are welcome!

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Mar 12, 2012

If you really want blooms I'd probably wait until fall--moving it now will probably make it focus on getting its roots re-established and it may not bloom well as a result. But if it's not likely to bloom well anyway then it probably doesn't matter!

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wha Pepperell, MA(Zone 6a) Mar 29, 2012

i would move it after it blooms and make sure it is watered well - they typically are a hardy plant - hopefully it will settle in and provide blooms next year - waiting until fall its energy may be used to re-establish itself and not bloom.

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Mar 29, 2012

wha, thanks - that is probably what we'll do, since we didn't get it moved when I first posted this and our weather has already heated up significantly. Our neighbor's lilacs are in bloom, so mine can't be far behind. I'd like to get the enjoyment of the blossoms, and then move it. Its new home is in between our pond and a neighbor's (but high enough upland I'm not worried about soggy soil), so I think I can ensure it gets plenty of moisture as it settles in.

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wha Pepperell, MA(Zone 6a) Mar 29, 2012

you should have no problems with moving it as long as you can get as much root structure as possible - even if it get's ugly they are still very hardy

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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Mar 29, 2012

I would also vote to move it sooner rather than later. I'd add that you should make sure it is as TURGID (full o' fluids) as possible when digging it while in full leaf/full flower - like mine currently are.

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Mar 30, 2012

Thanks, all - we'll be watering, digging and dropping as soon as the blooming is over :-)

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