As the growing season reawakens the Lilac plant in October, the question of whether or not to prune its branches becomes a quandary for many gardeners facing late-season trimming tasks.
While pruning Lilac bushes, make sure you only remove young lateral branches. Removing older branches makes the plant very weak.
So, go through this article if you are new to your Lilac bush and want to know when and how to prune it without harming the plant.
Table of Contents Show
What Is The Best Time To Prune Lilac?
Lilac flowers start to produce flower buds in spring and bloom from spring to summer. The blossoms start to fade in the fall, and the flower begins to produce seeds.
So, the best time to prune Lilac is in the fall as the flowers are at the end of their life.
Pruning in the fall allows you to deadhead the spent flowers and make the plant neat during the dormant phase. It protects the plant from several pests and pathogenic infections.
Additionally, pruning the plant just after the winter in early spring is also a good idea. But you have to make sure there are no new flower buds.
Doing this will allow the plant to bear lush foliage and encourage the blossoms.
Can I Prune Lilac In October?
If you skipped pruning your Lilac in the fall, you can still prune the plant in October. However, you must do it with caution.
It’s because the flower buds already start to arise in October. It’s unsuitable for the flower or your garden if you remove the new buds.
Removing new buds will result in very few or no blossoms, encouraging lush foliage in your Lilac bush.
Moreover, the plant is just recovering from the dormancy and becomes weak. In this situation, some extremely stressed plants become unable to produce good blossoms.
So, if you want to prune your Lilac in October, make sure you only remove the lateral branches without harming the flower buds.
How To Prune a Lilac Bush Without Killing It?
If you want to trim your Lilac bush without killing it, you must wait for the right time, i.e. late summer to fall.
Moreover, prepare safe and sterilized pruning tools to protect the plant from infections. Pruning tools with harmful pathogens may result in diseases like spots, cancer, yellowing, etc.
- Neatly remove the old and dead wood so that only the healthy parts remain in your plant.
- Moreover, trim the thicker branches to expose the inner ones to proper sunlight. Better airflow and penetration of light promotes healthy plant.
- However, ensure not to prune more than one-third of the bush, as the plant can weaken.
- Trim the shoots equally and get the shape you desire.
- Apply pruning sealant as soon as you finish pruning to prevent the fresh cut from infections.
- Dispose of the removed parts in the proper place.
- Water your Lilac bush whenever the soil feels dry.
You must have patience as the plant may be very weak after pruning. Regularly inspect for pests and diseases and apply neem oil to prevent the pathogens.
From Editorial Team
Additional Tips!
If you are preparing to prune a young Lilac plant, make sure to apply a bit heavier pruning. Doing this encourages the growth of your Lilac faster.
However, trim your old Lilac lightly to maintain the good shape and size of the bush.
If you are unsure about cutting back your Lilac, consult an experienced gardener or professional to do the task successfully.
