Dwarf lilacs generally require much less pruning for shaping and height control than standard-size lilac trees and shrubs. ... Cut branches back selectively to shape the dwarf lilac bush as desired, removing no more than one-third of any stem and making a clean cut just above a bud facing in the desired direction.
When should miniature lilacs be pruned?
Pruning is best done in late winter to early spring for most shrubs. With spring blooming shrubs, prune after the blooms are spent. When pruning, remove 1/3rd of the oldest branches by cutting at the base of the shrub. Monitor for pests, diseases or other ailments on a regular basis.
How do you take care of a dwarf lilac bush?
Cultivation: Grow dwarf Korean lilac in full sun or part shade and average soil. It likes regular watering but will tolerate drought once established. Feed with a general fertilizer before new growth begins in spring . Remove spent flower heads to promote better bloom in the next year.
Can lilacs be pruned to stay small?
Regular pruning serves multiple purposes for lilac bushes and shrubs. Cutting back a lilac will, of course, help to keep it a certain size, but pruning done properly can also encourage more flower growth as well. Lilacs bloom more prolifically on younger branches that are on the thinner side.
How far can you cut back a lilac bush?
If lilac bushes are already too large or becoming unsightly, however, pruning the entire bush or tree to about 6 or 8 inches (15-20 cm.) off the ground may be necessary. Keep in mind that you may have to wait for flowers, as it takes about three years for them to develop once the entire shrub has been cut.
How do you trim a dwarf lilac bush?
Make the cut just above a new shoot or bud . Cut branches back selectively to shape the dwarf lilac bush as desired, removing no more than one-third of any stem and making a clean cut just above a bud facing in the desired direction. Dwarf lilacs generally require little of this type of pruning.
Are coffee grounds good for lilacs?
Grass clippings and coffee grounds can be used as a good source of nitrogen. Use sparingly, as too much nitrogen in the soil will result in poor blooms. Lilacs grow best in slightly alkaline (6.5 to 7.0 pH), moist, well-drained soil. Adding bone meal to the soil can make it more alkaline.
Is there a difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?
Shrub lilacs and bush lilacs are short and compact. ... Tree lilacs can grow up to 25 feet (7.6 m.) high and have a tree-like appearance, but their many stems tend to get them classified as bushes. They are not technically trees , but they get big enough that you can treat them as if they are.
How do you rejuvenate a lilac bush?
One way to renew a large, overgrown lilac is to cut the entire plant back to within 6 to 8 inches of the ground in late winter (March or early April). This severe pruning will induce a large number of shoots to develop during the growing season.
How big does a dwarf lilac bush get?
Regular lilacs can grow 6 to 15 feet (2-4.5 m.) in height but the dwarf lilac varieties are only 4 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m.) and can easily fit into small gardens or even containers.
Can you shape a lilac bush?
Lilacs should be pruned yearly to develop a good framework of stems and promote vigorous growth that enhances flowering. Yearly pruning consists of cutting diseased, misshapen, and unproductive stems to the ground. I also thin and remove some stems to encourage properly spaced, vigorous growth.
What is the lifespan of a lilac bush?
Many factors influence how long California lilacs will live. When these plants get proper pruning to remove older shoots, they can often survive for closer to 15 years. Without adequate pruning, California lilacs may live for around 10 years .
Is Epsom salts good for lilacs?
Once the plants do start blooming, deadhead as soon as the blooms are finished to promote reblooming. Water when the soil begins to dry out. Water and feed with all-purpose plant food and use about one tablespoon of Epsom salts in two gallons of water every couple of weeks.
How do you prune an overgrown lilac bush?
First, remove any dead, spindly, dying or diseased wood. Cut out about a third of the oldest, tallest branches at the base. Then prune back the rest of the branches by a foot or more . Repeat the same thing over the next couple of years.
Should you Deadhead lilacs?
Deadheading – removing spent flowers to promote new blooming – is an important component of caring for lilacs. You should deadhead lilacs as soon as they are done blooming , which will allow the plants to develop strong, healthy buds that will flower with vigor the following year.
Should you cut off old lilac blooms?
Removing the dead flowers from your lilac bush will encourage more blooms the following year. The important thing when trimming off your flowers is that you simply cut off the spent flowers —don’t worry about any surrounding stems. ... To deadhead lilacs, simply snip the dead flower, leaving the stem and leaves in place.
