Lilacs are one of the most beloved shrubs for a variety of reasons, including the lovely lavender color of the flowers and the recognizable scent. When grown properly, a lilac bush can become tall, full, and survive for many years.
The ideal time to trim a lilac bush will vary based on whether you are trying to perform regular maintenance or are seeking to rejuvenate your lilacs in preparation for another year.
When pruning, remember to wear gloves and use the appropriate equipment.The most important one is to avoid cutting away more than ⅓ of the stems each year. When someone trims more than this amount, they start to eliminate important growth that will keep the lilac bush strong and full in the upcoming year....
As the plant grows, the bottom branches slowly begin to lose their flowers and leaves, resulting in exposed stems topped with regular leaves and blooms. To counteract this problem, gardeners can trim the lilac bush with rejuvenation in mind instead of regular maintenance. ...
You should resist the temptation to prune or trim your lilac bush until it is at least 6 ft. tall, which typically occurs during the second or third year of growth. At this point, there will be enough excess stems and blooms for optimal shaping.
Deadheading is when a gardener uses their hands to remove blooms that have started to wither and die on a plant. It is often done by individuals who want to keep their flowers healthy and encourage future growth.
Lilac bushes are simple, beautiful, and easy to maintain. While the woody stems can grow rapidly and sometimes because thick and unwieldy, the solution is an annual trimming that focuses on fostering new growth and eliminating potential issues before they have a chance to develop further.