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Lilac - deadhead or cut back

FairyJennetFairyJennet Posts: 46
in Plants
I have a lilac and I never know if just to deadhead or prune slightly as I would like it to flower next year. Can anyone advise please? Thanks

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    You can do either or both.   Whichever you decide it should be done asap to give the new growth time to develop flower buds for next year.

    We moved here 3.5 years ago and inherited 3 unloved lilacs but had other priorities so just dead headed.   This year we have decided to shape them more so have first of all removed all dead and crossing stems, then thinned stems out to make the canopy more airy and also raise the crown by removing lower branches and, finally, dead headed the remaining stems.

    Hoping for better quality flowers next year.


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairyJennetFairyJennet Posts: 46
    Great! Thank you 
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