Chinese lilac

Chinese lilac should be watered once a week, giving the soil a deep soak with approximately 2 inches of water. Water the plant until moisture starts to seep out the bottom of the pot. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. During hot, dry spells, water more frequently to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Chinese lilac (Syringa chinensis) should grow best in full sunlight. The plant prefers to receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day, however, it can also tolerate partial shade. When grown in partial shade, Chinese lilac may not bloom as profusely as when grown in full sun. The best time of day for Chinese lilacs to receive sunlight is between 6am and noon. During the summer months, the plant may benefit from some shade during the hottest hours of the day between noon and 4pm.

Chinese lilacs should be pruned immediately after they finish flowering, usually around late spring or early summer. To encourage healthy growth and maintain the desired shape of the plant, annual pruning is recommended.When pruning, it is important to start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Then, remove up to 1-third of the plant’s overall growth, cutting branches back to a healthy bud or desirable shape. Remember to prune just above a bud and make cuts at a slight angle that slants away from the bud. Be sure to clean your pruning tools after each use, to reduce the potential for spreading disease.