i never fertilize shrubs ...

if it grew 2 feet since spring.. one might wonder exactly what is lacking in the soil ...

leave a good thing alone ...

most lilacs are full sun plants ... 4 hours may or may not be enough ... time will tell ... but if you do end up with problems.. it might be a sun issue.. more than a fert issue ...

they are shrubs.. not children.. they dont need to be fed ... imo

of course .. a very little of some balanced fert.. isnt going to kill it ...

ken

Fertilize if it has poor leaf color or a soil test shows your soil is deficient. Sounds like the main thing it needs right now is a fence around it (or the planting or garden) that excludes rabbits.

No, the shrub looks fine overall.

And yes, this year I will be prepared at the end of the summer and build a fence around it, as the rabbits seem to snack in the winter and spring.