Would it be okay to plant a lilac bush close to house? I live on a crawl space.?

Question

I know they spread and I dont want the roots going into the foundation

Answer 1

I am afraid that I do not know what a crawl space is, however, the answer would be a no. It amazes me how many people plant a shrub or flower in the wrong place.
The Lilac, like a Forsythia, are free growing and spreading plants. Put them in their element and wonder at their growth versus stunting them to meet you need. The lilac is a beautiful shrub when left alone and blooms more when it is left alone.
Foundation plantings are always tricky. If you want color and low maintenance try a Meidlander Shrub Rose(surround with Dusty Miller), burning bush (again the Dusty Miller), or even a dwarft holly.
There is no such thing as a wrong plant, just the wrong place to put them! If I can help contact me at [e-mail]. Good Luck.

Answer 2

So plant it 4-5 feet away from the house, and landscape around it with flowers, etc, and fill in the space between them with mulch. Add some edging to keep the grass from moving in too quickly, and you'll have a nice attractive planting there in a few years when the lilac fills in.

Answer 3

I'd think twice before doing it. I bought an old home, 2 story to be exact. I had a large white lilac tree in the back of the house. The base and roots grew under the exterior portion of the closet. The tree grew into the house and created dammage, even to the gutters. The tree must have been over 25 feet. Not to mention all of the bees that buzzed and attempted to get into my 2nd story bedroom window. I had to remove tree. I don't miss it though. Think twice.

Answer 4

I would buy a grafted lilac bush not the old fashioned suckering type. There are many to pick from and they don't have such a robust root system beautiful colours available.

Lilacs come in many different sizes, look under the botanical name - Syringa. You will have many different choices, and they come in all different sizes. Just pick a small size one if you are worried. Good hunting.

Answer 5

I would up root them and plant them at least 6 ft away from any foundation of a structure. Use them as a fence. Don't plant near a driveway that they might ruin. Don't wait until they are too large to handle. Hoyakins