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Best height for lilacs?

alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
in Plants
Opinions welcome as to what the best height is to try to keep a common lilac to avoid becoming leggy and untidy? Thanks. 

Posts

  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    It really depends on the situation I think. There are some glorious, tree like, ones near me that are tight and flower profusely. I think the more sun you can give them, plus a little shelter, the larger you can grow them before they look untidy. On the flip side if the spot is more shady, they will collapse a little.
    We are on sandy soil in this area so their growth is limited to an extent. If you have a really rich soil then you might need to keep it shorter.   
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I would recommend not chopping it to a specific height but removing a few old stems right to the base (not below a graft if there is one). this will encourage more bushiness from the base


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think the key is getting a good shape, not a particular height.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • alfharris8alfharris8 Posts: 513
    Thank you for the replies. Great advice from GW forumers as always. 
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