The care of a “lilac-on-a-standard” is the same as any lilac shrub.

  1. Conserve soil moisture by applying a 2 – 3 inch layer of shredded bark mulch around the base of the plant.  Keep the mulch a finger width distance from the trunk of the plant.
  2. Fertilize lightly in the spring.
  3. Water as needed during the hot summer months.
  4. Prune lilac right after they bloom in the spring.  Any pruning in the summer or fall may remove next year’s flower buds.  Most lilac-on-a-standard will get quite large if they are not trimmed/shaped each year.  Deadheading is the process of removing the spent blooms and this can be done in the spring as well; but may not be necessary if a heavy trim is needed.

You may need several tools to prune your lilac:
Hand Pruner – This tool is used to remove single branches or blooms.
Shear – This tool is used for the shaping of the lilac each spring season.