We decided to remove the tree, likely next year. We will be replacing the back porch (it has sunk several inches into the ground, and we want to alter the positioning of the steps), and due to the sinking, the height at which the porch sits below the doorway is not up to building code. If you take a close look at the pics, you'll see just below our doorway a makeshift wooden step on the concrete platform which compensates for the height difference (can you say 'ghetto'??). When this is replaced, we'd build a wider porch (tree has to go) with the steps leading straight out to the yard. Aesthetically it would have a better appearance, and functionally it would make more sense. With that said, I thought of planting a clematis there for the interim, but it's going to take a clem 3 years to establish anyway, so it's really kind of pointless unless I just pot up a clem next to the tree. Buffbeauty, I like your suggestions, but I just planted two climbing rose bushes this year, Sombreuil and Don Juan. Even less thorny varieties would be challenging to work with on a suckering lilac...but with my previous comments, the rose bush would eventually have to be moved anyway (and I have no more room in my yard for climbing vines...I'm up to 20 clematis). I have a Romantika (deep purple) planted between the two climbing roses (red and white). Oh goodness, is this going to look like red-white-and blue? I never thought of that until just now. LOL

Dear all, Thank you very much for your thought about Lilac and California Lilac. I had tried Lavender Lady when I started gardening, about 7 years ago. Being such a gardening newbie, I planted in full sun because "tag said full sun"! Needless to say, it was too much sun to this poor Southern Lavender did not make it. I also tried Texas Mountain Laurel, and I ended up pulling it because of the slow growth. It sit on the site for about 2 years and refused to grow for me. I planted Gardenia (Augustus) in the same hole, and this one is growing no problem. I guess I will stock up Lavender scented candles and be content.

There are so many lovely, fragrant plants that WILL grow here; gardenias, brugmansias, daturas, jasmines, gingers, michaelia, Ylang Ylang and the native Simpson Stopper to name a few. I've learned to just love what I can grow and forget trying to grow northern plants. When I moved to SW FL from SC, I brought a forsythia with me. It grew, but never bloomed. I finally gave up and tossed it. I also brought daffodil bulbs, which also never bloomed, so I tossed them too. I had an orange jasmine planted right outside my back porch that I adored because it smelled so luscious. No, we can't have lilacs, and the big box stores are going to play on your sentimentality for northern plants by offering those and hostas and bulbs every year, but don't be fooled. It's just a waste of time and money.

I live along the CT coast and grow several lavenders. Most of these are planted at the far end of the garden... in a hot, dry spot that gets sun all day. This area slopes down to the river. The soil has been amended with compost, and the plants in this bed are slightly raised. Like other posters, I give them minimal care and only cut back what looks dead in the spring. The lavender shown is my oldest .... I had it for about 5 years ... this pic is from two years ago. Last year after this became so leggy and woody, I pulled it out, replacing with one of the babies that popped up between the Lychnis. I've also planted L. 'Provance' and several other varieties in this area. I agree with other posters that lavender needs full sun, good drainage, and I never fertilize.