How do I care for my lilac bush?

Maxine TerBush
by Maxine TerBush

I have 2 Lilac bush that about 2 yrs old that has not bloom once? R u supposed trim them back this time of year it looks like the have new blooms on it. Help? Trouble?

Trouble in Kentucky!!!!

  7 answers
  • Hi Maxine,

    Lilas are a pretty carefree shrub. Not sure where you live but Lilacs like to have a cold snap in the winter and need it in order to bloom. Sometimes it's takes them a few years to finally decide to bloom. The only time I trim my lilacs are after they are done blooming. When the blooms turn brown I cut them off so the plant does not expend energy into making seeds. I don't even fertilize them.

  • Emily Emily on Nov 07, 2018

    lilacs are the easiest of plants to grow. Actually I was on the phone this morning and looking at one of ours which is outside our kitchen window. I was thinking that the dead wood on it should be trimmed off. I would recommend not letting them get too tall as then it is hard to get blossoms. We don't do anything to ours otherwise except enjoy that delicious scent. Lilacs on our mantelpiece

  • Amanda Amanda on Nov 07, 2018

    HI Maxine. You can trim Lilacs but it should be done in spring after it has bloomed. If you do this in summer or fall they will not bloom the next spring. I would wait and see if they bloom in spring. Good Luck!

  • Everett Everett on Nov 07, 2018

    I agree with above comment,,I do thin out some of the largest,,maybe not neccesary, but if they are just right they make good walking sticks or if not they go in the insert I put in fire place.

  • Maxine TerBush Maxine TerBush on Nov 07, 2018

    Thanks I will leave it alone and see what happens next year. Thank you all.

  • Lisa Lisa on Nov 07, 2018

    Getting them to bloom depends on how much sun they get.

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Dec 17, 2020

    Hi Maxine, yes pruning or trimming them will help with the blooms. Here's a great article and video that will show you how  https://www.thespruce.com/pruning-lilacs-how-and-when-to-prune-lilacs-1403004