The
first step to pruning a lilac bush is to decide what the overall
outcome will be. Pruning lilacs should be done over a period
of a few years, as they do not recover very well from extreme
pruning, often not flowering for up to two years. Pruning
lilacs should always be done on wood that is at least three
years old. Since lilacs bloom on older wood, pruning new wood
every year may limit the amount of blooms in the next few
years. Lilacs also produce buds that will turn into flowers
early once the current blooms have been spent. It is important
to understand that removing too much in the summer or fall
can drastically reduce the amount of blooms for the following
year.
Pruning
lilacs should always be done immediately after the blooming
season has ended. Spent blooms should be cut off as soon as
they are done. This will help prevent the plant from creating
seeds, and instead focus its energy on the buds for the following
year’s bloom. Pruning lilacs should almost always be
done by hand. Using electrical trimmers makes the top of the
bush flat, and this is not an attractive look for lilac bushes.
Lilacs look much more appealing with a more rounded figure.
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