Lilac help please!

[dairydebris]

I planted 3 lilac bushes a few months ago. They were just sticks with buds. They seemed to start off strong and have grown more than a foot, obviously haven't bloomed as so young, but seem to have stopped now and the leaves are curling up...

They get at least 9h of sun and I've watered very frequently, the ground feels moist when I stick my finger in, but I'm on chalk so the soil is in general pretty well drained. We also haven't had much rain at all for months so it's all tap water.

Why are they curling? Will they make it? What can I do to help?

I seem to be very emotionally attached to these plants!

Thankyou!

Are they planted directly into the grass? If so it will be competing for water and nutrients. I’d clear away a good circle of grass, water well and mulch well.

Thanks, yes, straight into grass. There's a cleared circle and mulch around them but grass is going crazy with all the watering I've been doing. I'll enlarge the cleared circle.

Might be worth giving them a feed - various nutrient deficiencies can cause curling leaves. Maybe try liquid seaweed and see if it perks up?

I would try this, it could also be the very hot weather we have been having recently.