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Annuals/Lilics, transplanting

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Expert: - 9/12/2006


Question
Thanks for your info on cutting them back.  Since they will grow too tall for this location It is best that we move them.  How deep, wide is the root ball.  Is full sun best or is partial shade ok too?

Lynette in Monroe Washington

Answer
Lynette,
Although Lilacs can have a fairly extensive root system, it is not a tap root and they transplant well.  Just dig out and around the plant as far as you can, and get as many roots as possible - once you transplant remember to water once a week if it doesn't rain.

Lilacs need at least 5 hours of dead-on sun including the noon hour.  Be sure to site them so that they are not near plants that will grow up and shade them in years to come. (One of my nicest lilacs is in more and more shade every year as the surrounding landscape grows...I'll have to move it soon!)

all the best,
C.L.

Annuals

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C.L. Fornari

Expertise

Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

Experience

I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

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