[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!

[MomwithHope]

Good luck. My late mother loved lilacs too. Another clue is the fact you had to stake it. If it was falling over it did not have good root support. It is an older bush too, a real survivor.

[MomwithHope]

I just thought of something else. Make sure when you have your hole ready and slide it out of the pot that you try and spread the roots out to a more natural shape.