[MomwithHope]

Oh honey - that poor thing! Look how tall it is and how short the pot is. The tap roots must be coiled up in the bottom of that pot. I would put it in the ground as soon as you can, seeing as you are in CA. I would dig the biggest deepest hole I could and make sure the soil had good drainage and some fertilizer. It might go through a shock and lose some leaves but it should survive nicely and flourish. Posting a picture is the best. I’m sure Diana or others would have an opinion too.

[georgiegirl]

Wow, thanks you so much for your diagnosis! The lilac was a skinny thing like this when I put in the container, I transplanted it from miles away where it wasn't getting any sun. (I originally bought the lilac and planted it on my mother's grave, that was in 2005. She was passionate about lilacs).

I rescued it about 5 years ago, and because it looked like it was ready to die, I put it in a container. It did grow more leaves year by year, and bloomed some lovely flowers this past spring.

The weather here is cooling off in a few days, maybe even some rain promised, so I will rescue it again and plant it in the ground, per your suggestions!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I’m sure Diana or others would have an opinion too.”

I agree. Get that Lilac in the ground, ASAP. Give her a fighting chance!

HOWEVER - I’m not sure all Lilacs CAN grow in CA? They need cold temps and dormancy to flower again the next year. I seem to remember that Lilacs are more of a northern thing? Are you in Northern CA? Then, maybe...

There are some species that CAN live there, but I’m not sure how we can tell which one this is?