Miniature Lilacs - Planting Instructions

Dig a Hole

You might purchase a potted miniature lilac bush or order a bush from a gardening supply company, in which case, it will probably arrive with bare roots. Gardener's Supply Company, based in Burlington, Vermont, offers tips for lilac planting on its website, Gardeners.com. If you order a miniature lilac by mail and receive it with bare roots, you should soak the roots in tepid water for 10 to 15 minutes before planting. After you have found the ideal planting site, dig a hole for your lilac by removing the topsoil until you have a hole that is two to three times the size of the root ball of your store-bought lilac or those of your bare-root lilac. Put that topsoil aside until the hole has been amended to allow proper drainage, if necessary.

Prepare the hole for better drainage by adding sand or fine gravel to the subsoil. Mix sand and/or fine gravel into the subsoil, about 6 to 10 inches deep. Then mix the topsoil that you have set aside with peat, vermiculite or another porous material. This will cover the root system, and, combined with the amended subsoil, will create the amount of drainage you need for healthy, hardy miniature lilacs.

Place the root system in the hole so the ball is level with the surface of the hole. If you are planting bare roots, they should sit 2 or 3 inches below the edge of the hole. Your goal, according to Gardeners.com, is to plant the miniature lilac and remove any potential air pockets while keeping the soil moist. Don't let the soil compact around the roots. Water the roots after planting but be careful not to over-water; do not flood them. None of the roots should be exposed but nor should you bury any part of the trunk or stem.

Both Lilacsforever.com and Gardeners.com recommend adding some gardening lime to the soil if it especially acidic. You can add compost, bone meal or all-purpose fertilizer to the hole before you plant the miniature ilac. Mulch or compost around the base of the lilac to ensure that the soil stays moist.