Trimming lilacs in Mass?

Can you offer me help- our lilacs bloomed poorly this year and I would love some tips- I hear you%26#039;re supposed to trim them back? How far?

Trimming lilacs in Mass?
Prune or trim back your bush immediately after they are done blooming, not now. Next year%26#039;s flower bud develops early, %26amp; late pruning can destroy all the buds for next years flowers.





Lilac bushes should be pruned and maintained each year for a well shaped and healthy plant. The plants should be full looking, yet not overly bushy. If the plant is too bushy, the inner leaves do not get sun and air circulation, an invitation to plant disease.





Trim larger stems from the center of the bush to increase ventilation. It will also afford more room for newer shoots on the outside of the plant to develop.


Cut small suckers and shoots at or near ground level, or where it comes out of the main trunk. Leave a few strong and healthy new stalks each year, especially if you are planning to trim back old wood.


Trim back any branches that stick out from the main bush, and is not appealing to you.





For an older, overgrown shrub, use a 3 year plan... since a lilac shoot takes about three years before it produces a flower. Eliminate 1/3 of the shrub each year, selecting the oldest stalks. Cut them down to just above the level of the soil. As you do, allow new shoots to grow to replace the old ones. By the end of three years, the entire shrub will have been replaced, and you will not go without lilacs for that period of time.


Good luck!!! Hope this is helpful.
Reply:You%26#039;re welcome! I love helping :) I especially love when I get such nice feedback! Thank You ;) Report It

Reply:www.gerrybaker.com





ask your question to him.
Reply:Ha! I opened this question because I thought it was about doing the flower arranging during a church service!!
Reply:I believe it%26#039;s too late in the season to trim lilacs for the purpose of increased blooming. Generally you trim blooming shrubs right after the flowers have died off so that they get enough months of growth to be able to bloom the following season. Many will not bloom except on %26quot;old%26quot; growth.
Reply:not now!!!... the plant has started on making next spring%26#039;s flowers already.... if you cut now, there will be none in the spring!!.... lilacs should be pruned only just after blooming is done.... a good feed in early spring should get them happy... and a light cover of compost around the base, for the worms to get into would get a good thing going, too...



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