How to Grow Reblooming Josee Lilacs

Like the name implies, the Josee reblooming lilac produces flowers from the early spring all the way until the first frost occurs in the fall or early winter. The plant is a dwarf variety, reaching heights of approximately 4 to 6 feet. It is a perennial that grows well in United States Department of Agriculture growing zones 2 through 9. Because the Josee lilac has a longer growing season than other varieties, it requires special care.

Shovel

Compost

Water

Balanced fertilizer

Hand pruners

Wait until the spring when the threat of frost is over and the ground is no longer frozen. Choose a planting spot that has good drainage and has full sunlight exposure.

Dig a hole in the desired location that is the same width as the root ball of the Josee lilac and 3 inches deeper. Spread 3 inches of compost into the bottom of the hole and then insert the lilac's roots into the hole. Back fill the hole with soil and press it down firmly with your hands.

Water the area until the soil is wet to the same depth as the roots, but there is no standing water on top of the ground. After planting, water at least once per week, increasing to twice per week during the summer. Limp leaves are a sign the Josee lilac needs water.

Spread a balanced fertilizer onto the soil in the early spring to feed the new growth. Repeat the fertilizer application once per month through the fall or less frequently if using a time-release formula. Refer to the packaging for the proper application intervals.

Prune the Josee lilac on a weekly basis to remove all dead blooms which will encourage it to continue blooming. Grasp the dead flower and cut it off 1 inch below the base using hand pruners.

If desired, you can plant Josee lilacs in the fall instead of the spring.

If you are planting multiple Josee lilacs, space them at 6- to 10-foot intervals.