Lilac bush not blooming?
by
Donna R
+6
Here at my old "new" house I have a beautiful, big and healthy looking lilac bush but it doesn't bloom. It is at least 6' tall and last year there wasn't a bloom on it, but this year there was 1/2 of a lilac bloom on one stem. I love lilacs -- can anyone tell me what it needs to give me those beautifully scented flowers?
9 answers
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I didn't have any luck with my Lilac until we planted more. As soon as we planted a new lilac our old existing lilac started blooming like crazy.
Bobbi Perreault
on Jun 29, 2013
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cutting them back after their bloom time is a good idea also. make sure all of the blooms are finished. I have kept mine about 6 ft for the last few years, and it just grows a bit denser,with more flowers. That also comes with age.
Dawn Lam
on Jun 29, 2013
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Is it getting close to full sun?
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 30, 2013
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Yes, it is at the end of my driveway and gets full sun. I am going to try to post a picture even though there isn't anything to see but a big beautiful lilac bush that doesn't flower! ;-)
Donna R
on Jun 30, 2013
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This year I planted two new lilac bushes reasonably close to the old one, so it will be interesting to see next spring if that has the same effect that you said Bobbi.
Donna R
on Jun 30, 2013
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
Donna R
on Jun 30, 2013
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@Donna R Lilacs need cold to set bloom. Was it a mild winter for you? What nutrition have you provided for the Lilac?
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Jun 30, 2013
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It was a normal winter last year and I don't know what to feed them -- Miracle Grow?
Donna R
on Jun 30, 2013
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Funny how things happen -- I just got an email from Extra Dirt (a gardening site I am registered with) and the topic was Lilacs - pruning and rejuvenating. I've copied a pasted some of the info below with some links in case anyone else needs this advice. I found it to be really helpful and hope that this will solve my blooming problems. Cindy Haynes of Iowa State University Extension explains how to properly prune different varieties in this video. If your lilac just needs a bit of a haircut, focus pruning on diseased, misshapen and unproductive stems by cutting them to the ground. It's also a good idea to remove a few healthy stems to encourage new growth. If your lilacs haven't been pruned in several years, or are fairly overgrown, grab your loppers and give them a rejuvenation prune. Learn how in this video by Marjorie Peronto of the University of Maine Extension. Just be sure to prune before July 4 to ensure plenty of blooms next spring!
Donna R
on Jul 01, 2013
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