Gardening Tips : How to Prune a Lilac Bush

[GardenToolCaddy]

Thanks for the advice!

[martha1spur]

Syringa vulgaris (common lilac) needs pruning every few years because they're actually scraggly trees.

[martha1spur]

Here's an "unscientific" rule (really, scientific pruning for lilacs? ha ha): Bloom before June 1 -- cut back after flowering; bloom after June 1, cut back at the end of winter. Spring bloomers bloom on old wood -- previous-year growth. Summer bloomers bloom on new wood. Science enough for residential gardening.

[dansp51]

I have never seen such a non-scientific approach to trimming.

[gsdraiss]

Now wait.....the best times to prune is any time they are not fowering? But then you get it right and say right after they are done blooming. So why are yu saying "any time they are not blooming" and then confuse people by qualifying the correct time?

[spokanetrish]

Lilacs "set the bloom" late summer/early fall. The "sets" look like little green nubbin's/seeds--if you prune after the set you will cut off all next years flowers. SO, do your pruning soon after the flowers have finished.

Spokane,

The Lilac City

[bowler8]

I cut mine back to the very ground, because it wasn't blooming...this year there are stacks of blooms...glad I did it

[tirpitz19]

@bowler8 That sounds strange.You don't prune lilac.

[bowler8]

@tirpitz19 Its full of buds this year too...if they get leggy you have to prune.

[bowler8]

@tirpitz19 You DO prune lilacs. They get lanky and out of shape, but don't do it while its in flower or in bud, wait until it has stopped blooming. You can be quite drastic, they are quite tolerant.