lilacs don't bloom

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msmouser Lexington, MA(Zone 5b) Jun 06, 2008

My front landscaping was redone about 4 years ago. I don't know the species of lilac that was planted, but they were supposed to be a short, non leggy, purple, prolific blooming variant. They bloomed gloriously the first year, and not since. The plants are healthy, the foliage rich, but no flowers. They are pruned in the fall, but I thought that is when they are supposed to be pruned. North east exposure, but previous lilacs bloomed there very successfully, and they are protected by the house.
Help, please.
msmouser

Post #5065228
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 07, 2008

I don't grow lilacs, but many of the spring blooming shrubs bloom on old wood, and if you prune old-wood bloomers in the fall you're cutting off the branches where your blooms would form. Hopefully someone who grows lilacs will confirm my suspicions, or suggest something else if I'm wrong about the old wood.

Post #5066342
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bigcityal Appleton, WI(Zone 5a) Jun 07, 2008

Fall might be a bit late on the pruning, after midsummer is not recommended. Otherwise they would have to be in too much shade or overfertilized to not flower.

Post #5066383
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mrs_colla Marin, CA(Zone 9b) Jun 07, 2008

They should be pruned immediately after blooming, they set flowerbuds on 2 year old wood.
Christie

Post #5066394
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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Jun 07, 2008

Lilacs flower best when they are never pruned at all. As already mentioned (yep, ecrane, you're right!), they flower on mature branches, typically at least 5 years old. Pruning stops this. One lilac I saw get pruned, didn't flower again for 7 years. Conversely, the best flowering I've seen was on one which had never been pruned in its life (40-50 years+), it was completely covered in flowers every year.

Resin

Post #5067337
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NorthernSeasons Bozeman, MT(Zone 4b) Jun 07, 2008

The amount that you prune a lilac makes a difference, as well. No more than a third of the plant if you're doing restorative work and only a fifth to a fourth if you're doing basic maintenance. Here's a great source for growing Lilacs from Montana State University. http://msuextension.org/publications/YardandGarden/MT199805AG.pdf

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