Pruning a lilac bush involves cutting back old and overgrown stems to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms. The best time to prune is right after the lilac flowers have finished blooming in late spring. Regular pruning helps keep the bush from becoming too tall and improves air circulation within the plant. Here is how to prune a lilac bush:
- Prune just after blooming, not in summer or fall, to allow new shoots to develop for the next season's flowers.
- Use clean pruners and cut out about one-third of the largest, thickest stems close to the ground.
- Remove dead, damaged, or unhealthy branches and any shoots growing near the ground from the main trunk.
- Thin out branches inside the bush to improve air circulation and light penetration.
- For overgrown lilacs, you can do rejuvenation pruning by removing one-third of the largest stems each year over three years, cutting them close to the ground.
- Avoid pruning too late in the season to prevent cutting off developing flower buds.
This routine promotes a balanced, fountain-shaped bush with plenty of fragrant flowers every spring.
