Re: Lilacs

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ BackyardGardener Shrub Board ]

Posted by Vicki on March 22, 2003 at 17:40:52:

In Reply to: Re: Lilacs posted by Newt on March 19, 2003 at 19:24:56:

: : We planted a lilac bush about 4 or 5 years ago. It's growing well, full of leaves and bushy however it has yet to bloom. It's about 6 feet tall now. I have never pruned it but I do know that you should prune it after it has finished blooming. Is there anything I can do to help it along?

An additional suggestion would be to do a bit of digging around the roots. Some plants (lilac and wisteria, esp) can be prodded into blooming the following year by doing some minimal root damage. Best story I ever heard was of someone who was removing a 40 year old lilac that gave up on flowering years earlier. Chain saws and all manner of power tools were employed to oust the old timer; but the owners gave it up for the fall .... and guess what ...yep......it bloomed like mad the next year, after all the abuse.

:
: Hi Lori,

: Often lilacs can take 5 to 7 years to bloom from new shoots, but a nursery purchased one usually blooms within a couple of years. I don't know where you live, but lilacs like a more alkaline soil. If you live where the soil is acid, that might help to delay bloom. I live in Maryland and my lilac was near a pine tree. It hadn't bloomed in 7 years. Then I heard about the lime and it worked. The lilac bloomed the following year. Just sprinkle a cup of lime around the base and scratch in every year or two. Lilacs also like full sun.

: Good luck,
: Newt

Follow Ups:

Re: Lilacs Newt 18:25:16 03/22/03 (2)
- Re: Lilacs Vicki 18:36:41 03/22/03 (1)
  - Re: Lilacs Newt 22:19:34 03/23/03 (0)

Please post your questions on our new message boards.

This message board will not be maintained and is available as an archive.

Name :
E-Mail :
Subject :

Comments:
: : : We planted a lilac bush about 4 or 5 years ago. It's growing well, full of leaves and bushy however it has yet to bloom. It's about 6 feet tall now. I have never pruned it but I do know that you should prune it after it has finished blooming. Is there anything I can do to help it along?

: An additional suggestion would be to do a bit of digging around the roots. Some plants (lilac and wisteria, esp) can be prodded into blooming the following year by doing some minimal root damage. Best story I ever heard was of someone who was removing a 40 year old lilac that gave up on flowering years earlier. Chain saws and all manner of power tools were employed to oust the old timer; but the owners gave it up for the fall .... and guess what ...yep......it bloomed like mad the next year, after all the abuse.

:
: :
: : Hi Lori,

: : Often lilacs can take 5 to 7 years to bloom from new shoots, but a nursery purchased one usually blooms within a couple of years. I don't know where you live, but lilacs like a more alkaline soil. If you live where the soil is acid, that might help to delay bloom. I live in Maryland and my lilac was near a pine tree. It hadn't bloomed in 7 years. Then I heard about the lime and it worked. The lilac bloomed the following year. Just sprinkle a cup of lime around the base and scratch in every year or two. Lilacs also like full sun.

: : Good luck,
: : Newt

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

Special thanks to Jane and Bob Rosi for providing this information.

YMCA Camp Loowit Alumni

advertisement

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ BackyardGardener Shrub Board ]