Growing Lilacs

Growing Lilacs is a pleasure in zones 3-8.  Yes, here are some warm weather lilacs such as Miss Kim and Sensation that will grow in warmer zone 8 climates.   Lilacs are easy to grow and the fragrant flower spikes last weeks.  Some varieties bloom for 6 weeks or more!

 

growing lilacs miss kim
Miss Kim Lilac

The lilac bushes are hardy plants and require minimal maintenance once established.  Depending upon the type they grow from 5 to 15 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide.  When growing lilacs, you prune to the shape you desire. Trim as a hedge, circular bush or cut the lower branches to make superb specimen tree.   They attract butterflies and deer resistant.

 

Growing Lilacs Specifics

 

Most lilacs need a good cold period each year to flourish. Check your growing zone and the lilac plant you obtain.  They need a good 6 hours of sun to produce flowers. If you are in zone 7-8 then place the lilacs in areas they are protected a bit from the late afternoon sun.

 

They will grow in many soil types but prefer rich fertile soil.  When growing lilac give them plenty of water when young.  However, make sure the soil is fast draining because they do not like wet feet.  If the area you are planting is prone to wetness make sure you place large rocks at the bottom of the hole before planting to drain the water away.  If too wet they will not bloom!

 

Growing Lilacs Planting

 

When planting add some good compost to the soil. Dig the hole twice as large as the container. Put compost in the bottom and around the sides when you plant your lilac.  Topsoil is NOT compost.  Mulch around the top of the plant.

 

Growign lilac yankee doodle
Yankee Doodle Lilac

Space lilacs from 5 to 12 feet apart depending upon the variety.  Do not over fertilize the lilac or the blooms will suffer.  We recommend once a year to add some 8–9-month time released fertilizer.

 

Each spring mulch to top of the plant for the first couple years.  Epic Grower recommends non-colorized mulch or bark to help retain moisture and protect the roots.

 

Lilac colors range from white to dark purple. They include violet, blue, lavender, pink and magenta colors. Some are solid colors and others have stripes. They are all delicate looking small flowers on spikes.

Next Weekend Special Sale

Epic Grower Special event

The next weekend special sale is scheduled for May 29 -30 (Saturday and Sunday) -Memorial Day weekend.   We are only open to the general public on special weekend events.

 

Epic Grower is trying to get more hydrangeas and elderberry plants ready.  All the plants are growing great and its a great time to get your fruit and berry trees planted.

5/28/2021 update:

This weekend, May 29/30th, is our next open house.  The plants look great and it will be a bit cooler (mid 70’s).  It’s a  great time to get your plants in the ground for summer.  ** Mention this post and get a FREE Rare Cuban Oregano plant when you purchase two (2) or more plants.  This a new crop with leaves ready for your favorite Italian recipes.   These are great size plants. Offer limited to stock on hand.

Special Note:  NOW is the time to plant the Camellia plants (Camellia Japonicas) to have them well establish for late fall/winter blooming.  Great for early morning sun or partial shade areas.  If you plant them in full sun make sure you keep them well watered.  They like moist soil but not wet.

 

5/12/2021  update: 

1 Gallon elderberry plants that were sold out in April are Back. We added 3 gallon size too.  1,2 and 3 gallon sizes available.

1 Gallon size goji berries will be up sized after this weekend sale. They are over growing their pots. Once potted in large containers the prices will go up so now is a fantastic time to get these plants. Goji berries are sweet, considered a super food and the 1 gallon size are fruiting size!   Many were sold last sale (may 1-2)  but we sill have about 30 in this size left.  You will not find them at a better price anywhere in this size!

Fig trees have doubled in size since our first sale in early April. Now is a great time to plant them so they have a full season of growth before next year.

Fruit trees – Only a very few Honey-crisp apple trees are left in stock.  Moon glow pears, granny smith apples, enterprise apples, golden delicious apple,  keiffer pear and wolf creek apple are all growing great.  The lowest best prices around for these large 7 gallon plants!

Lilacs are going fast – we added a couple more types including one that started to bloom!

Haskap berry plants – Epic Grower only has a few of each variety left.  These are not blueberry’s but taste and look like them. We do not expect to be able to offer more until next year.  3X the health benefits of blueberry’s!

5/5/2021 update:

We are in the process of planting many of the plants from the greenhouse on our property this past month (figs, berries, fruit trees, decorative trees, and others).

Several varieties of Day re-blooming lilies are coming this month (being potted and planted). They should be ready in late June. If you have a question about planting let us know. We are here to help.

4/28/2021 update:   

We added more signs. You can not see the greenhouse from the street. Go up the paved driveway on the left (1437 on post).

 

We are a small family own business and greatly appreciate your support.   Enjoy the many activities in the area and bring your camera – the Mountain laurels are starting to bloom!

 

See our website www.epicgrower.com for plants details. Scroll down the page to the news section.

Thank you.

 

Growing and Planting Instructions

Growing and planting instructions for all zones.  Plants shipped from Epic Grower LLC were grown in Cleveland, Ga Zone 7a.  The tropical plants and some of the exotics are grown in a greenhouse to produce heat and humidity.  Others are grow outside and/in a shade house.  Knowing your growing environment is important.

If you are from Georgia then you are in zones 8 to 7.  Zone 8a-8b is basically from Macon south.   Zone 7b starts just above Macon and goes up to NC/Tennessee borders.  The Georgia mountains areas are zone 7a  with one tiny spot zone 6b.

Growing and Planting Instructions

 

In ground growing and planting:   Dig a hole in the ground at least 50% larger than the root ball.  If you are planting a larger plant (3 gallon or large plant) make the hole at least twice the size of the root system.  Back fill 25% of the hole with the proper type of compost. Do not use topsoil. Topsoil does not have nutrients plants need.

 

Roots need to breath (except water tolerant plants) to grow. If roots are sitting in water then they will die along with the hole plant.  Put a layer of hardwood mulch or pine needle mulch. Stay away from the colorized mulches.

 

moderate growing and planting plantsContainer growing and planting:  Pick a pot at least twice the size of the plant’s root system. Clay pots and pots with holes are better to control moisture, root breathing and heat. The roots need air to grow well and survive.  It’s better that you do not OVERSIZE the pot for the plant.  Soil nutrients get depleted so add time released fertilizer.

 

Fill the bottom and sides of the pot with the soil you plan to use. Then plant the tree using a good airy potting soil of the proper type. Coir based mixes are great! It’s always better to get pots with drain holes to prevent root death.  When watering the the water should flow through the soil. If it does not then it may retain too much water.

More growing and planting information

 

  1. If ground growing and planting then water the planting holes one day before planting the small plants.
  2. Plant in the late afternoon to avoid the hot sun the first day.
  3. Do not plant the root ball more than 1/2″ below the soil. The roots need to breath. Look at the plants’ trunk color to see the coloration difference near the soil one. Keep the area that was exposed to the air above the soil!
  4. If growing in a pot (especially a bonsai pot) then spread out the roots. Try not to damage the roots. We use chop-sticks to separate the root ball to gently spread the roots out.
  5. Add a root hormone ,such as, Dyna-Gro K-L-N to the water the first 21 days.  Read the vendors instructions for dilution, precautions and how often to use.
  6. If the plant tends to fall over then add support.  When you insert the support stick try not to damage any roots under the soil!  If using a bonsai pot, wire down the plant to support it.
  7. Pack soil around the base of eh plant lightly.
  8. Water lightly for the first few days.
  9. After 30 days add a good fertilizer to your growing and planting mix .  We use a 8-9 month time released fertilizer (yes, epicgrower.com carries the fertilizer for clients).
  10. Research your growing environment to make sure you are planting the type of plants properly.
  11. Remember these are good general planting instructions. Not all plants grow the same. If you are not sure check the internet for more information on soil types and light requirements.

 

VERY IMPORTANT:    There are hundreds of growing environments.  These instructions contain GENERAL information.  You need to do YOUR own research on how to grow the plant in your growing environment.  Adjust how you grow the plant based on your area.

 

growing and planting in the sunDirect sunlight:  Direct sunlight means the plant sees the Sun.  It does not mean near a window that gets light.  When growing and planting it’s important understand to grow your plant correctly.  Full sun means direct access/line of sight to the sun. In very strong sunny areas you may need to provide some partial shade. Too much some can cause browning leaves on young plants.

 

Plant Stress:  Moving plants from one environment to another (such as shipping plants to you) causes plant stress.   Re-potting plants cause plant stress.  Fertilizing wrong will cause stress. Cutting roots and branches causes stress.  Do one thing at a time to prevent plant stress and death.  When you prune make sure you do it at the right time of year for your plant

 

How to Make soil Airy:  Add perlite to mixes.   Add small NON porous rocks. Use clay pots to allow air flow.  Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the pots.  When ground planting put some big rocks at the bottom of the hole to make sure water drains well. Most roots do not like to sit in water!  Remember there are exceptions to all rules so know your plant and what it likes.

 

When growing and planting in containers:   Use coir based mixes not Moss if possible Moss mixes tend to create crusts on top of the soil which causes water and air flow problems.   There are some moss/pine bark mixes that work great but be careful of crusts forming on the top of the soil.  Crusts will not allow air or water flow and roots need air to survive!

 

Advice:  The number one thing we hear from people is “My Gardener said xxxxx” Be careful, most gardeners are not plant experts. They may know about some local plants/grass/trees but not all. There are many different growing environments and micro-environments in all areas.  Do your research and understand plants are living things. When  growing and planting remember sometimes not mater what you do some plants will die.  It may be the water, the nutrients, the sun light, heat, soil, cold, bugs or something else causing problems.    Enjoy growing your plants.

Elderberry Plant In Big Demand

Elderberry plant, sambucus canadensis, is making a strong comeback. Due to it’s medical properties and great taste in jams/syrups the plant is in high demand.  The Elderberry bush is a fast growing bush/tree with a height of 10 to 20 feet. It grows in partial shade to full sun. It makes a great border plant including as an under-story plant along woodland edges.

elderberry plantElderberry Plant Growing

 

Elderberry plants grow in USDA zones 4 through 8. Its considered a shrub but will grow into a semi-tree.  The plant fruits in the fall.   Expect blooms in late spring in most areas with showy white clusters of flowers.

 

Epic Grower recommends pruning the plant to control height to  keep it lower for easy berry picking.

 

If growing in a container then the plant needs fast draining, moist soil for best results. When in a container and while young in the ground give it a good time released fertilizer.  See Epic Grower website for a great 8-9 month time released fertilizer.

 

The elderberry bush prefers partial shade or afternoon shade. However, it will grow in full sun too.  Plant it in areas that provide moist soil that drains well. It does not like standing water what-so-ever.

 

The plants from Epic Grower, LLC will fruit in 1-2 years.  Large ones in the 3 gallon pots may fruit the first year planted.   If you obtained your plant during winter then wait until spring (last frost) before planting.

 

Its always better to plant two (2) or more plants within 60 feet of each other. Elderberry will self pollinate, however, it produces much, much better when pollinated by another elderberry.

Elderberry Plant Uses

Do not eat the berry raw. Too much raw eating of the berry will cause medical problems.  Berry and/or leaves uses include making tinctures, cooking, teas and drying into powders.

 

Cook the berries in great tasting jams, syrups and herbal remedies. Always, consult an herbalist before using elderberry bush  for medical purposes.

 

The leaves are used in teas too. Some of the benefits reported by various studies include treating the common cold, swine flu, boost immune system, treat chronic fatigue, sinus and leg pains.

If you have questions concerning how to grow the elderberry plant please post it using the comment second of this article.