Lilac blooms only on top of tree.

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lynchl Harrison, MI May 26, 2008

Hello and thank you to everyone for answering my last question soo quickly !
I am in love with this site and I am sure it won't be my last one! :)

Heres what I have :

We bought a new house that is around 30 years old.. we have a ton of lilac bushes. However they are all fairly big and fat / tall they only have a few blooms just at the tip top of the tree and not much of the new stems towards the bottom have any either. Is there a way I can cut it back of something to recieve more blooms than what I am getting?

Thanks SOoo Much

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lavender4ever (Louise) Palm Bay, FL(Zone 9b) May 26, 2008

yep they are too old. Start by cutting back a third of the woody stems if you still want some flowers. Otherwise you can cut them way back. Do your annual pruning after flowering so the buds can form for next year.

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lynchl Harrison, MI May 26, 2008

makes sense I am starting to think that they are also maybe reaching for sun as they have been shaded by bigger oaks for quite some time it looks like..
We are in the process of eliminating most of our over grown trees in the yard in hopes for a better outcome as far as the yard and grass is concerned.. : )

Thanks

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bethanski Rochester, NY Jun 01, 2008

I have the exact same problem, and after a lot of research, am planning on cutting it back by 1/3 just like lavender4ever suggested. I've also read in various places that if you won't miss the blooms for 3 years or so, mature lilacs will survive a severe pruning down to the ground. I can't wait that long though, as I love my lilac too much! Hope the 1/3 pruning works for you.

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Jun 03, 2008

Try not to cut the shorter lower branches when you do such a harsh much needed pruning as these newer lower stems/branches will make sure the sap keeps rising next year, once you have enough new growth from the pruned/cut larger branches, you can always cut the lower branches back in a few years if you need to, also after such a harsh cutting back, give the shrub/trees a good forking around the roots and top dress this area with some good compost as thick as you can but not against the stems or they could rot away, give the shrubs/trees a good feed after pruning. cutting back to enable it to get good growth again for next year, there after you can prune back after flowering each year as Lilacs flower on the year before growth. Like if you cut after flowering, the new growth will make the flowers for the following year, if you dont get flowers the year after you cut them back, at least you have saved them and the flowers will eventually come good again, they will need time to recover. good luck. WeeNel.

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lynchl Harrison, MI Jun 03, 2008

wow thank you soo much !

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