Pruning lilacs - Ask Extension
I know to prune after the blooms, since the flowers for next year will be on this year's new growth. My question is how much to prune? I have a decade...
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Pruning lilacs #749576
Asked May 12, 2021, 6:02 PM EDT
I know to prune after the blooms, since the flowers for next year will be on this year's new growth. My question is how much to prune? I have a decades old, thin, tall-ish lilac that gave a grand total of two blooms this spring! I see beautiful, thick lilacs in my area, covered with fragrant blooms. I think pruning will help, but how much to cut back? Thank you.
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Lilacs need to be pruned to encourage abundant flowering. An excellent description of how to prune an overgrown lilac is below. Unfortunately, you have missed the window for rejuvenating your lilac this year. It is important to do the severe pruning described in the fact sheet in late winter or early spring before your bush has put its energy into fully leafing out. If you are truly anxious to accomplish something this year, use the second method described of pruning out 1/3 of the old wood. Good luck!
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1993/2-10-1993/lilac.html
