In many places, from May onwards, the lilacs delight the viewer with their magnificent floral decoration. Unfortunately, the fragrant magic doesn't last very long, with some strains flowering much longer than others. However, all lilacs are cut back immediately after they have faded.
Once the lilac flowers have faded, it's time to cut back
Always cut lilacs after flowering
The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), in contrast to the summer lilac (with which it is often confused), always flowers on the previous year's or two-year-old shoots. These are branches that have already set the flower buds in the previous year. Since this happens shortly after flowering, a lilac bush should not be cut back in autumn or early spring. Instead, pruning immediately after flowering reduces the risk of removing valuable flower buds.
Cutting lilacs - That's how it's done
Lilacs do not have to be cut back too much, but only thinned out and freed from dead, over-aged and weak shoots. This pruning can be done annually and ensures that the shrub is constantly rejuvenated, does not become senile and therefore grows luxuriantly and develops as many flowers as possible. In any case, Syringa should not be cut back too much if it is not necessary: then it gets stressed and it only drives out more root suckers, which are difficult to remove.
Cut lilacs correctly
- Cut back only immediately after flowering
- use clean and sharp tools
- Cut out the faded
- also dead, dry and diseased branches
- Remove inward and criss-crossing shoots
- weak branches with only a few leaves as well
- Cut away old shoots that are no longer flowering
- and root suckers
When cutting, make sure to remove the branches and shoots directly at the base and leave no lumps. In addition, scissors should only be used on dry and warm days so that the wounds can dry quickly.
What else should be done after flowering
After pruning, give the lilac at best a shovelful of mature compost and a handful of horn shavings.(32.93€) Then the bush can recover more quickly from the intervention and develop new shoots.
tips
If you want to cut lilacs for the vase, you should choose panicles that have not yet fully blossomed. With the right care, they also last longer.