Hello.* I am located in Northern Virginia, if knowing the geography helps.

Planted in the front of my town house are 4 boxwoods and one lilac.* They*are all planted in one row about 2-3 feet apart with the lilac in the right end in what amounts to a corner between my and my neighbor's house.* However, they do receive completely full and direct*sunlight all day long.* The boxwoods are thriving, but the lilac is having some problems.

I planted the lilac*as a start from my parents lilac (in*Southwestern Pennsylvania)*in Autumn 2004.* When I planted it,*I used some commercial "potting soil"*( I can't remember the name) designed for trees and shrubs.* It's the kind of stuff that's supposed to give shrubs and trees a kick start when first planted.* It's done wonders for the boxwoods and our paperbark maple.

Here's the problem.* The lilac did not*bloom at all in Spring 2005.* Since it was*growing taller than I wanted,*I pruned it in early summer 2007*to get it to make more branches which worked.* However, it didn't bloom in 2006.* I was patient and left it alone and it did not bloom this year either.**It has plenty of lush green leaves.* However the edges of the most tender leaves at the tips of new shoots seem to turn gray and shrivel up and then*that sprout seems to die.*

So, the problems with the lilac are, no blooms and shriveling leaves.* If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.

Thanks for reading.