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Is my Syringa Dwarf Red Lilac dying?

PMc_2021PMc_2021 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Evening all,
I’m relatively new to gardening but have been trying to liven things up in my garden with some potted plants. I recently bought a George Eastman Dwarf Red Lilac (roughly 2ft tall) which I replanted in a large pot a few days after purchasing. After a fortnight or so the small flower buds just started falling off and although there’s lots more green foliage, the flower buds aren’t looking healthy. 

When I’d initially repotted, I’d sprinkled some bonemeal in the pot near the roots and on top of the compost too - as per the initial instructions. I’ve also tried to monitor the soil and only water when required. Weather wise it’s been a bit mixed, though the position enabled the plant to get roughly 6-7 hours of sun per day. 

It’s my first post on here, but I’ve tried to attach before and after pictures. These were taken a fortnight apart. Is there anything I can do to try to revive him - if indeed he needs revived? I’m really not sure if this is normal..

 

Thanking you in advance for any guidance. 

Posts

  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    edited June 2021
    Hi. Welcome to the forum. 
    That’s perfectly normal, just remove the dead flower stems. Lilacs are generally flowering once a year, but some modern varieties might throw a flower stem now and then during the year.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I agree, it looks as if it was in bloom when you bought it and its flowering is done for the year now. Lilac flowers are very short-lived and you generally get one flush of them in the spring, but they are lovely while they are out. The rest of the summer it's a green shrub, part of the backdrop of the garden. Deadhead it if you can (I don't bother with my big lilac but I do my dwarf one which I can reach easily) and make sure it doesn't go short of water during the summer to encourage a good display next spring.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • PMc_2021PMc_2021 Posts: 2
    Brilliant news! Thank you both for your quick responses and advice, it’s very much appreciated! 
    Hope you both have a lovely day ahead & happy gardening! 
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