Lilac - how long before I ^have^ to plant them out?

[ThoseAwfulCurtains]

I bought 2 lilacs in spring so I could smell them in flower.

I thought I'd have managed to do the landscaping I'd planned for the part of the garden I've bought the lilacs for, but the weather's been pants and I'll need to keep them in containers till late spring.

I've potted them on. Charles Joly isn't rooty in his pot but Katherine Havermeyer is filling hers nicely and could take a bigger size pot if it's necessary over the winter.

Any ideas please?

Hmmm... I think they can be kept in a container permanently (provided they are pruned and have some space so they are not totally potbound). It's just that this requires a bit more fuss with repotting and possible root pruning etc. Point is, it wouldn't be a problem to keep them in til late spring if need be. Also, perhaps think about moving them somewhere that is a little bit sheltered so they don't really struggle if we get really bad cold weather?

Thanks Holly. I just need them to last till I can get them in the ground though. They're in a sheltered yard so unless we get the winter the Daily Express promised (unlikely) they should be ok.

You mean there may not be GIANT ICE STORMS SET TO BATTER BRITAIN?

cancels order for penguins

I'm taking no chances and ordering horticultural fleece by the roll

As if

They will be fine in a pot. I left a rare species lilac in a smallish plastic pot over Winter as I forgot about it, and it survived. I only planted it out in late Spring. If the weather is many degrees below freezing then bring it into a porch or doorway or similar, or even a cold room. (I have a conservatory so usually I keep potted stuff there when it is freezing). By Spring yours will be well rooted and in good shape to plant out. Feed now and again in the Spring.
I'm off to google your varieties, as I love lilac..!

Thanks Vix. They're not particularly special varieties but I think they're the best available in general garden centers. I wasn't going to give them garden space without smelling them first iyswim

www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/10745228/Growing-lilac-make-way-for-heavenly-scents.html

There's some good advice here. I miss lilac, it doesn't quite cold enough here in Melbourne for lilacs to do well.

Thanks Echt - some great ideas there. Lilac as a standard - hmmm - that gives a lot of scope