quick clicks

home style today articles

home style today q&a

traveling today articles

traveling today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Expert Q&A

	By Donna Dawson Master Gardener

I just planted some lilac bushes. Do they require acid?

If you are lucky enough to live in an area where you can grow lilacs, there is nothing like a tree or shrub in bloom to make you stop short to find out what it is. There are over 1,000 varieties, and the largest collections are in Rochester, N.Y., and Cornwall, Ontario, Canada.

I am fortunate to live with four of them in my own back garden. Lilacs will tolerate almost any kind of soil, from clay to sand with a pH of 6 to 7. They do not like to have wet feet all the time, so plant where there is good drainage, and if you feel like it, add some mulch around the base. They are very easy to care for. No need to add nitrogen to the soil, because you will end up with lots of leaves and no flowers.

View more Q&A by this Expert