In addition to pruning flowers just past their peak, prune those that are already dying. Fragrant, colorful lilacs are easy to grow in most regions. Keep in mind that doing a rejuvenating pruning will mean losing the maturing buds that would otherwise turn into this springs flowers. If you are wondering when and how to prune a lilac bush, we have outlined it for you in this article. Look for an area on one of the lilacs main trunks where theres a noticeable difference in bark near a lump. Whether your lilac is a shrub or a small tree, it will need to be regularly pruned in order to maintain a healthy shape and size. To prune lilacs, get to work in the spring : Grafted plants need to be pruned with a bit more care, since cutting below the grafted area will disturb the graft and change the way your plant grows. Do this annually to maintain good shape, support healthy growth, and facilitate abundant flowering the following year. Determine if your lilac was grafted. With the right timing and gentle technique, you can shape your lilac for health and beauty without sacrificing a single bloom. Simply wipe it down with a disinfectant spray or rubbing alcohol. Do your assessment in early spring, before the lilac has come back to life. When do lilacs bloom? · lilacs are not delicate or needy, but lilac pruning is important. · prune lilacs in late spring or early summer after flowers fade. If its old, overgrown, or unshapely, giving it a rejuvenating pruning will help restore it to a healthier and more attractive state. You can disinfect your tools before you prune to avoid spreading disease to your lilac bush. Cut fresh flowers for bouquets, nip off the longest stems, and thin out any weak stems at the base. This is probably the graft. Another term for this type of pruning is deadheading. See full list on wikihow. com When lilac flowers reach their peak and are just this side of fading out, cutting them to create indoor bouquets actually helps the plant. Though you might sacrifice this years blossoms, youll be rewarded in the following seasons with better growth and flowers. Take an assessment of your lilac. Some lilacs are grafted with other varieties in order to produce a particular flower shape or color. Don’t wait until summer or fall but instead prune them when they have finished blooming in late spring. Cut fresh flowers in the spring. Left on their stems, the flowers will die but continue sapping energy that could be spent on new growth. How do you cut a lilac bush? If you see no such thing, the plant likely hasnt been grafted, so theres no need to look out when you make cuts. · pruning a lilac bush may feel intimidating, especially when you’re worried about cutting off next year’s flower buds. This is the best time of year for a deeper pruning. Make the cut just at the base of the flowers. Nip off the long stems. · the best time for pruning a lilac is when its flowers have finished and have faded. Avoid pruning la. When should lilacs be pruned? This type of pruning goes beyond a lighter annual pruning to severely cut the bush or tree back, allowing for new growth to occur. So dont feel guilty or wasteful when you go outside with your hand trimmers to take off the prettiest flowers - youre doing just the right thing for your lilac bush or tree.