My Lilacs are blooming at Thanksgiving!

Hi, I live in zone 9b and have one lilac in my yard.

I know that this zone is a bit to warm for lilacs but I thought I would try it. I planted the lilac as a bare root bush in about January of 2004. It had a few blooms that first year. This last spring, it's second, it did not bloom at all, presumably from lack of winter chill (the winter was not that cold).

And now, when I went out the other day to do a bit of yard work, I saw one small bloom and several buds ready to burst!

I have no idea what to do now. Winter is just starting. Should I let it bloom, remove the buds, or..................what?

Thanks for any help:)

Ok, I'm jealous! It's too warm here for lilacs also, but I did have one bloom earlier this year. Yea for you!

I had one in my yard in Chino Hills, a variety for California, it did extremely well for me there! They are growing here very well, we get cooler winters, I can't wait to grow another one!
Annie

I would leave it, enjoy it & if I had to prune it, do it after its done.
Here is a site with Lilac care. Hope it helps. :~)
http://www.syringaplus.com/care.htm

Thanks for the info Donna!
Annie

Your welcome! Mine bloomed for the first time this Spring & I tell you, there is just nothing like that smell, is there? :~)

Nothing like it! One of my favorites,
Annie

Thanks for the link and the comments:) I think I will just try to keep the bush from freezing until it is done blooming and then prune the dead blooms off. Fortunately, freezing weather is not in the forecast for the next week or so.

I was hoping for a nice big bloom next spring. I bet that will not happen. Or maybe it will surprise me again!

Your welcome. :~) But wait to prune it until all chance of freeze is past. You don't want to have any open cuts on your plant when low temps are still around.