Lilac blooms - Ask Extension
I have been trying to deadhead my spent lilac blooms for many years but my bushes have gotten a bit tall for me to deadhead the entire bush. I have r...
Knowledgebase
Lilac blooms #872833
Asked June 12, 2024, 3:50 PM EDT
I have been trying to deadhead my spent lilac blooms for many years but my bushes have gotten a bit tall for me to deadhead the entire bush. I have read some online articles which indicate deadheading is totally unnecessary for the health of the tree and is merely done for aesthetic purposes. please advise.
Rutland County Vermont
Expert Response
Sandra
Thanks so much for reaching out to the UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteers!
Deadheading lilacs is a good thing for new transplants to help them get established and have the plant focus its energy on getting rooted. It's even helpful on younger plants to redirect their energy from producing seed to producing next year's flowers. It's not necessary on older, established lilacs, not to mention how time-consuming and practically impossible this can be on a rather large shrub. But pruning (on the other hand) is a productive undertaking for mature lilacs once they’ve finished blooming, along with reshaping and fertilizing.
Right after the lilac is done flowering, you've got about a six-week window of pruning time. This is the time to reshape your shrub and prune a third of the lilac branches and stems. But no more. And only prune it back if its necessary. You may opt to prune every other year if your lilac is in great shape and producing heavily.
Here are some additional resources you might enjoy-
Growing lilacs for Minnesota landscapes | UMN Extension
From the UVM Horticultural Farm - https://youtu.be/PMU6A5DpzuY?si=Pba4KHLZlpftbK4f
I do hope this information is helpful!
Thanks so much for reaching out to the UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteers!
Deadheading lilacs is a good thing for new transplants to help them get established and have the plant focus its energy on getting rooted. It's even helpful on younger plants to redirect their energy from producing seed to producing next year's flowers. It's not necessary on older, established lilacs, not to mention how time-consuming and practically impossible this can be on a rather large shrub. But pruning (on the other hand) is a productive undertaking for mature lilacs once they’ve finished blooming, along with reshaping and fertilizing.
Right after the lilac is done flowering, you've got about a six-week window of pruning time. This is the time to reshape your shrub and prune a third of the lilac branches and stems. But no more. And only prune it back if its necessary. You may opt to prune every other year if your lilac is in great shape and producing heavily.
Here are some additional resources you might enjoy-
Growing lilacs for Minnesota landscapes | UMN Extension
From the UVM Horticultural Farm - https://youtu.be/PMU6A5DpzuY?si=Pba4KHLZlpftbK4f
I do hope this information is helpful!
