Oldman47, you are right, and if you have fertile soil the lilacs will do well without fertilizing, but they will bloom magnificently, profusely, allowing for armfuls to be cut and taken indoors, if they are planted near a compost pile, or if they are mulched with compost or fertilized with natural, long term fertilizers. As you and I know, healthy lilacs are quite hardy. The trick when transplanting is to always try to put the plant in a slightly better situation than it was growing in previously. Then it thrives instead of being shocked.
A picture of my "mutant" lilac bush from about 3 days ago prior to the flowers opening. This is a "lesser" than normal year for this bush.
