This is the 2nd season for my lilac started from a clipping. It has brown on some of the leaves. This is not a crinkly brown, the leaves don't seem real dry, but they are not as soft as the ones that are not brown. The picture is a little blurry, but you can see the green leaves and the brown on them pretty clearly. I figured I might have flowers on it next season since it will be it's 3rd, and I hate to have come this far and end up with a dead plant.
If no one here can help you,try going to this forum with your photo & problem:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/pad/all/
I did a search in Google for lilac leaves browning and several posts came up on different forums. Check these and see whether they may pertain to your situation. Interestingly, most of the posts are in August . . . I'm thinking that lilacs may sunburn . . .
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/753833/
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/shrubs/msg0711285630781.html
http://www.gardening.co.uk/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/2/UTN/3908/last/1/V/1/SP/332122698376344306478
http://gardenworld.proboards103.com/index.cgi?board=borders&action=display&thread=4558
This doesn't look like your problem, but it's a good FYI for lilac owners. The remedy appears to be to remove the diseased leaves and spray with a copper solution.
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/LilacBactBlight/lilacbactblight.htm
Vicky, all my Lilac's look like that, never looked like that before. I blame it on the weired weather this year. I've hade mine for 5 years+ one is 8' tall. Frost burn, then to sun burn, then to cold nights. go figure this has not been a good year for anything. Things that should be are not. LOL
This should of been in full bloom, not half way.
Just my thoughts...
