Question
After having numerous tree stumps removed I am left with lovely subsoil in my side yard. While at a chain garden store I ran across two lilac bushes, one common purple and the other some sort of "French Lilac" with blooms that are pink and white, that were begging for a home. Now I don't know how to amend the soil to give them their best shot at this late date in the season. I am guessing the soil would be considered clay at this point. I generally just dig a hole, add some manure,(I've access to aged rabbit,pig,or chicken) water it well and hope for the best. I imagine my normal routine should be thrown out the window as it is now August. I've always wanted a lilac bush I hope I don't kill them. I'm in zone 6, western Kentucky. Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Ginny, Container grown plants can be planted whenever the ground is not frozen or too wet.  Since there will not be any roots into your soil for a while, you've got to monitor the soil moisture of the rootball carefully.  If you don't under or overwater it, it should do fine.
Any of the aged manure is fine, but I'd add something a little coarser also.  Finely ground pine bark would be my preference since most container plants are grown in a pine bark mix.
Dig your hole no deeper than the container, but 3 times as wide. The rootball should be slightly above your soil line and bring the soil up to, but not on top of, the rootball.  It should look like it's planted on a little hill. Mix about 1/3 manure and pine bark with 2/3 of your existing soil and then water it in. Check the rootball about knuckle deep every day to determine if you need to water.
Lilacs like full sun and are prone to powdery mildew so plant them away from walls and fences.  Jim