Lilacs near strawberries and beans?

[Geofizz]

As part of the National Phenology Network, I'll soon be getting a lilac to plant in my yard to observe over the coming years. The research project is tracking the timing of spring across the country.

I'm assuming that the plant will come with detailed instructions on how and where to plant this thing. At this point, I'm thinking that the best spot for it will be between my planter box dedicated to shallots, leeks, and strawberries, and my veggie patch dedicated to green beans and peas (among other things as my mood strikes each spring).

I know just enough about gardening to be dangerous. Are there any concerns with planting a lilac bush (? this thing is a bush, right?) nearby my strawberries and green beans?

[wemoon]

The only thing that I could think of being a problem is that lilac bushes can get very big and might shade out a spot.

[lunarlady]

Lilac should attract hoards of pollinators, so that is a good thing. But they do get very big (think 15 feet) so maybe shade might be an issue depending on the garden layout. And some do have a strong (very pleasent) smell, which might affect your in-garden grazing. But in otherwise I think it should be fine.

[Geofizz]

OK, whew. I'll see what info comes with the plant. The planting area is in a north-south line, so the shade will only extend to the neighbor's trash cans. Hiding them will be gravy.

I remember reading that it was good to put the strawberries near that shallots, but not near tomatoes (errr, I think it was tomatoes...). When I said I'd take one of the lilacs and do the observations, I'd confused it with an iris. Like I said, I know just enough to be dangerous.

[limette]

Oh man don't do it!

Lilacs are evil, evil plants that are constantly shooting up suckers which are very hard to remove. Once mature the shrub itself is very hard to remove. They are worse than raspberries.

If you plant next to your existing garden, you'll have a lot of extra work on your hands.