Pruning Lilac.

When is the bet time to prune lilac?

I have a medium sized lilac, which I like to keep trim. I pruned it in late winter for years, and had several sprigs of flower, then read that I should be pruning it after it's flowered. I did that last year, and only have one sprig in flower just now :(. My neighbour has an enviable white lilac which is covered in fragrant blossom - but she doesn't keep hers compact.


Am I to lose the blooms in favour of shape?

 

I've always pruned my lilac well after flowering but before Winter sets in. No flowers yet but I normally have a good showing.

 

Hi Jarb!

My mum has a white lilac which always seems to have many flowers on at this time of year - she tends to be very 'garden lopper' happy and prunes away without stint - often to the point which makes me gasp... :eek:

Next time I am chatting to her, I'll ask her when she prunes her tree and by how much to get the amount of flowers she does!

 

Prune immediately after flowering if you leave it too late you cut the new growth off that has next years buds on.

 

Thanks folks! I might not leave it then. Infact, I could do it today .Seeing as it only has one flower - I could put it in a vase.

No time like the present (then that would give it a head start for next year!!!) :D

 

Mine is loaded with blooms and I always prune it immediately the flowers have died off. I also prune it to keep it to the shape I want at the same time as I do not want mine to grow to tall. It certainly doesn't curtail the number of blooms it has. Good luck with yours JarBax.