Q: What is the best way to care for a lilac bush? The leaves have brown spots now.

A: Lilacs can be affected by several leaf spot diseases but they don’t seem to be fatal if the plant is kept healthy. Although they’re not as common here as they are in the North and Midwest, lilacs can thrive in north Georgia. The key seems to be planting a variety that can handle warm winters. I’ve had good success with ‘White Angel’ and ‘Dark Knight’. I have more comments and a list of good varieties at bit.ly/GAlilac.