Difference between revisions of "Prune Lilacs"
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#*If you prune in the fall or winter, your lilac may not produce flowers at all. | #*If you prune in the fall or winter, your lilac may not produce flowers at all. | ||
=== Rejuvenating an Overgrown Lilac=== | === Rejuvenating an Overgrown Lilac=== | ||
| − | #Take an assessment of your lilac. If it's old, overgrown, or unshapely, giving it a rejuvenating pruning will help restore it to a healthier and more attractive state. This type of pruning goes beyond a lighter annual pruning to severely cut the bush or tree back, allowing for new growth to occur.<ref>http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/pruning-lilacs.aspx?id=87234</ref> | + | #Take an assessment of your lilac. If it's old, overgrown, or unshapely, giving it a rejuvenating pruning will help restore it to a healthier and more attractive state. This type of pruning goes beyond a lighter annual pruning to severely cut the bush or tree back, allowing for new growth to occur.<ref name="rf1">http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/pruning-lilacs.aspx?id=87234</ref> |
#*Do your assessment in early spring, before the lilac has come back to life. This is the best time of year for a deeper pruning. | #*Do your assessment in early spring, before the lilac has come back to life. This is the best time of year for a deeper pruning. | ||
#*Keep in mind that doing a rejuvenating pruning will mean losing the maturing buds that would otherwise turn into this spring's flowers. Though you might sacrifice this year's blossoms, you'll be rewarded in the following seasons with better growth and flowers. | #*Keep in mind that doing a rejuvenating pruning will mean losing the maturing buds that would otherwise turn into this spring's flowers. Though you might sacrifice this year's blossoms, you'll be rewarded in the following seasons with better growth and flowers. | ||
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#Use clippers to trim the plant close to the ground. If the trunks are very thick, you may need a saw. Cut each branch back by 1/3 to 1/2. The lilac will grow back, but it'll take a season or two. | #Use clippers to trim the plant close to the ground. If the trunks are very thick, you may need a saw. Cut each branch back by 1/3 to 1/2. The lilac will grow back, but it'll take a season or two. | ||
#*If you discovered that your plant was grafted, be sure not to cut below the graft. | #*If you discovered that your plant was grafted, be sure not to cut below the graft. | ||
| − | #Cut back the suckers. Suckers are baby trunks growing out from the original plant, or sprouting from the ground close by. Cut these back all the way to the base of the trunk or the ground to prevent them from getting any bigger. Suckers take away energy from the rest of the plant. A healthy lilac bush or tree should have no more than 2 or 3 large trunks.<ref | + | #Cut back the suckers. Suckers are baby trunks growing out from the original plant, or sprouting from the ground close by. Cut these back all the way to the base of the trunk or the ground to prevent them from getting any bigger. Suckers take away energy from the rest of the plant. A healthy lilac bush or tree should have no more than 2 or 3 large trunks.<ref name="rf1" /> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
