How to Prune Lilacs

Рет қаралды 653,158

5 жыл бұрын

Lilac bushes can get tall and leggy and knowing how to prune them will give you years of beautiful, fragrant flowers on manageable plants. Three different ways of pruning lilacs depend on whether the plant is well-maintained, overgrown, or completely wild. The most important aspect of lilac pruning is know when to prune -- right after the flowers fade. Severe pruning of an overgrown plant is good to do in late winter or early spring.
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Пікірлер: 944

@mrserinamber 4 жыл бұрын

Came here for the lilac care, stayed because of your shirt.

@RainbowObsidian777 2 жыл бұрын

Yes🧡💛💙💜💗💚

@taminatorharrison552 3 ай бұрын

4 years later, I too came for the lilacs and the shirt was a giant bonus!

@KatyNorman 2 ай бұрын

Same

@danielpreilly77 Ай бұрын

Yep, stay at home autism dad here sitting next to my special guy. Gardening helps me cope and manage some extra stress parents of specials experience 🤗 🌈💙 🧩 🤜🏻⚡️🤛🏻

@LemireCassie 17 күн бұрын

Amen! I would love a shirt like that. My two granddaughters are autistic. One of the granddaughters just wrote a book, she's 12. They have such big hearts. God bless all.

@wladapoljakova7006 4 жыл бұрын

I really thought the more you leave the lilac alone the more it will flower, but the opposite is the case! What an eye opener!

@beverlybenson9981 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video. We have a 80+ year old lilac bush. We've pruned it over the years we've lived in our house. The lilac was planted by the original home owner in 1939. I'm glad we are pruning it correctly.

@julieeaston7097 2 ай бұрын

That’s amazing ❤

@LemireCassie 17 күн бұрын

Thats awesome! Good for you. God Bless.

@WebOfTwilight 2 ай бұрын

I know this video is 4 yrs. old, but I just wanted to say thanks! It's come in super handy. I'm in the process of restoring my grandparent's home. My grandma loved her flowers and one of her favorites was lilacs. They're literally everywhere. I'm looking forward to using your information to properly take care of them. Plant care is so much fun!

@escapematrixenterprisejacq7810 2 ай бұрын

thank god I listened to this, mine are like trees 15 feet tall...blooms barely and only on top.....I started to cut the new growth to help the old parts!!! omg! didnt do too much before I came in to listen

@adymolina8831 3 жыл бұрын

I was absolutely kicking myself in the head thinking i screwed up chopping the lilac bush on the back yard until the very end when you said that was the last option. 😂 Great video! Thank you for the education! 💖

@frank1330 4 жыл бұрын

I've lived in my house 40 years - and probably pruned once. Still flowers but just on top. Great video for dummies like me.

@grumpycheerleader 4 жыл бұрын

Yes! This is really clear and helpful.

@hmh3808 3 жыл бұрын

That’s not dumb... if I prune like this my own won’t flower at all because I only get sun now at the top of my tree !where it is tall.... not enough light to have low flowering bush anymore-:( some is better than none!

@joyciejd9673 3 ай бұрын

Me too. I'm here 44 years and the lilac was gigantic back then. Now just leggy, flowers 15' on top. Going to follow these instructions!

@patrimadny212 4 жыл бұрын

I moved into a house with a Lilac tree 10 feet high with only flowers on the top. This video is super useful

@FormerlyknownasPonti 3 жыл бұрын

@caseyk.1386 3 жыл бұрын

That’s why I’m here too lol

@lindabrown0 3 жыл бұрын

I had this problem. Was told to reduce the size of tree by 2/3rds. Did that and next year had beautiful, fragrant blooms.......I was a bit nervous to cut off so much, but it worked...........

@matildaessig6147 3 жыл бұрын

would love to see this bush a year or two later !

@villagesteader3552 3 жыл бұрын

My lilacs need the third option but I was afraid to do it! Now I feel like it’s ok since you gave it the thumbs up. 👍

@leslienichols5268 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gardener Scott! Great to have a library to look back on every season.

@chanimarie6753 4 жыл бұрын

Perfect! Thanks Gardener Scott. Just bought a dwarf Korean lilac and have a few large ones on my property, so this is real helpful!

@pepperwa 4 жыл бұрын

Very helpful! I had no idea I could prune my lilac “trees” which only bloom at the top!

@glennbogardus9140 2 жыл бұрын

Very informative video to watch right before I go out and prune my own lilac. Thank you for the "3 different pruning situations" breakdown, that's a very helpful was to classify how to prune plants in different statuses!

@mathgeek7966 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome info, thank you Scott!!

@Neldidellavittoria 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic. A lilac is a tree I'm planning to have in my new garden, so this and the comments below is great help.

@robertcotrell9810 4 ай бұрын

Planted a lilac last year. I'm SO ready for flowers. It's my favorite flower bar none.

@tobymarley1 4 жыл бұрын

This was so soothing to listen to

@hbrealhousewife2270 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. That was very informative. Be doing my lilac tomorrow now.

@wesgorham7318 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Scott, I learned some helpful tips for pruning our lilac bush from your video. Thank you.

@maryboorman8979 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Scott the Gardener! I planted my first Lilac bush late last summer and this summer the blooms happened and were a delight. I will now be able to prune the branches since viewing your very helpful video! Thanks so much for such an informative and well presented instructional vid. Enjoy your Lilacs as I am enjoying mine! :-)

@SuperKimmie72 4 жыл бұрын

I like your T-Shirt and its message!

@beverlysterner2681 3 жыл бұрын

You covered it! So clear and with excellent demonstrations and explanations.

@marymiller5394 5 жыл бұрын

Great timing, Scott. I was planning to trim my Ceanothus today as it has just finished blooming. Always nice to have a quick refresher!

@GardenerScott 5 жыл бұрын

That's great, Mary. So glad to help.

@mhsewbiz 3 жыл бұрын

I always thought I should wait until Fall to prune. Thank you SO much! Very helpful.

@pafrazier56 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for providing such clear and practical advice. I can see exactly what I need to do now. I inherited an overgrown lilac bush when I bought a property and I'm very happy to have a plan of action now. The fragrance brings me back to childhood and now I can look forward to more in the years to come.

@oldwillie313 4 жыл бұрын

Good video Scott! Good content snd presentation.

@mimigarritydenman2896 4 жыл бұрын

thank you so much for sharing this video. I had no idea how to prune my lilacs. Your instruction was very clear and easy to follow. Looking forward to better bushes...in about three years!

@kaileebradley Жыл бұрын

SO helpful and informative! Thank you so much 🙏🏼

@sandralomeli7007 3 жыл бұрын

This video is exactly what I was looking for. Perfectly explain and clear. Great help, Thank you very much!

@denisemcnabb 3 жыл бұрын

Great information ! I’lol take care of my double Dutch lilac this evening.

@nancywenlock1833 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this great video! Our lilacs have been doing their own thing for years and finally I know how to manage them, thanks to you! I will wait till after next spring's flowering to prune them and will review this video before I do that. Thank you so much!

@sylviahilxebrant7141 4 жыл бұрын

Ah-h-h, my favorite flower!! (How many people say that? 😊. Grew up in PA where they grew wild, to FL (zone 9) where we can't grow them. Sure do miss them. Thank you for the memories!

@mikek5631 2 жыл бұрын

Just wanted to say thanks. I came across your video about 3 seasons ago and started to apply this pruning method to my Dwarf lilac late June or early July when the flowers have faded. Mine is in a container on our deck and each spring since I began pruning we've seen our flower production increase significantly. Really great video and this works for container gardeners and dwarf lilacs as well. Cheers.

@jeric0777 3 жыл бұрын

Cool shirt! And best video I've seen on lilac pruning.

@glennjohnston1878 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve looked up information on lilacs before and your video is one of the best.

@mamaeasley1 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful video! Thanks for the tips! I was going to head to prune now before blooming, but your video helped! I can wait until after bloom this year. Awesome shirt! ❤️

@Michaelsmith-ee8zz Жыл бұрын

You can dig up the runners it puts out and plant somewhere else in yard or give to a friend to have their own lilac plant

@lexii764 Жыл бұрын

Excellent description! Super helpful thank you!

@fallenxero 3 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful after moving into my new home with a lilac tree that had barely any blooms! Can wait on see how it looks next year. Thank you!

@christinavojta9408 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Scott! I now understand why my lilac bush blooms so poorly, and I know exactly what to do about that.

@francessiddique8518 2 жыл бұрын

I have a huge lilac that started out as a mother's day plant and has gotten out of hand in my mom's garden. A beautiful plant but few blossoms. I really appreciate how you explained this in depth. After watching this, I know exactly what to do with the plant i have, to achieve what i want. Thank you so much! Next spring i am sure we will have magnificent blossoms!

@learningaswego9287 2 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful! Thankyou, I live in Montana with a similar climate to yours, your videos are so relevant for me!

@ColeB-jy3mh 2 жыл бұрын

Loved this video! done very well! covered the important information!

@marissawentz1144 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for explaining it so well. Especially with the older branches. We have lilacs that are about 30 years old and about 15 feet high, but I would hate to lose them by cutting too much off. I will give this a go and I can’t wait to see how they look next year.

@AlstonMisquitta 2 жыл бұрын

This is an excellent tutorial with just the right balance of how and why. Thanks a lot!

@yaelganet8751 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Gardener Scott!!! I'm headed out back with a new perspective and expectation for my mom's lilac's to recover from years of neglect. Thank you, Gardener Scott!!

@karenblake2044 4 жыл бұрын

This video is super helpful! Thank you!

@madelaineseguin1490 3 жыл бұрын

I had a small lilac...the winter had been very cold one year and no leaves that spring. Had the spouse cut it down. To my surprise, shoots started sprouting from the ground like a lot. Eventually, it became very bushy. And the flowers were plentiful...the following years. 🥰

@fayestollon829 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for that excellent tutorial. Just went out and did some massive pruning on my non -flowering lilacs. Hoping for the best for next season. Cheers!

@carlroberts7830 3 жыл бұрын

so its lilac season here how did it go with your pruneing

@backyardsnackyard Жыл бұрын

What a great video. Thank you. I have been avoiding pruning my lilac, but am ready to go this year🙂

@DancerGirl-24 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, this was thorough. And, may I just say, I love that your name is "Gardener," - totally appropriate!

@joot78 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video! I was a lot more confident about chopping off fat, old, tall branches than I ever would have been without seeing you do it. It was an enormous bonsai experience. Looking forward to seeing the results in coming years. Wish I had taken a "before" pic.

@nojwop 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, wonderfully explained, watching and listening is so much easier than trying to read and interpolate!

@barbaragerlach619 3 жыл бұрын

I thave

@Okieflyer 3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate you. I just bought a house and they everywhere. Not just lilacs, but other types. Really big. I guess I'll have something to do. ;)

@Rockdog333 2 жыл бұрын

I watched your video last year. This year was the best year for flowers, they were absolutely everywhere! I pruned 1/3 of the bush last June, and fertilized in late April 2022.

@ingekaivola4685 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video. I needed to learn all of this. I have a lilac that needs pruning! And now I know how!

@GardenerScott 5 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it. 🙂

@sarahcowie95 4 жыл бұрын

This is so useful! We moved into a house with bushes that've been completely ignored for 6 years and are in a bad way. Currently propogating a few sprigs, but definitely going to attempt pruning it at the end of season

@sharonmeeks7739 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for info. It helped.

@yvonner.4861 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, great information and simply said! I can do this!

@lisamedina6972 Жыл бұрын

Thank You so much I have a lilac and this was very informative

@tanyaconnolly-holmes607 4 жыл бұрын

Great advice Scott. Just the guidance I needed as I was beginning to think I'd have to fully remove the bush all together. Now I know a hard prune first, with follow-through the next few years will bring my lilac back to the size I need it to be for better management. Thank you!

@sandrakline4252 3 жыл бұрын

@lrg613 4 жыл бұрын

This is what I do with all “woody” bushes like burning bushes and dogwood. When you take out the woody branches, those that are thick and rough with little new growth, those toward the middle, and allow light and air in again, new growth will occur. Just do an hour or two at a time. And, don’t use a hedge trimmer. The damage it causes to the branch ends will attract bugs and disease. It’s a process so enjoy your time in the fresh air taking care of Creation!

@chantalrochon3566 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the information. Very useful!

@echosierran19 4 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful! Thank you!

@carmensandiego3140 3 жыл бұрын

I have 2 overgrown & out of control lilacs; unfortunately, I need to go with Option #3. And to make matters worse... I have Rose of Sharon growing throughout one of the trees. Thank You sharing this. It's given me the courage to do what I've been thinking I need to do for awhile now. :-)

@markbouton3022 3 жыл бұрын

You speak so clearly and succinctly. Thank you for this video!

@trisca1 Жыл бұрын

Great info! Just what I needed! Thank you.

@carolsmith6393 2 жыл бұрын

I didn't know about cutting off the flowers after they have bloomed, great advice :)

@auntmayme8119 3 жыл бұрын

Even though I’m in winter now, I came across this video and it’s timely. I’ve always wondered how to prune my lilacs and you have clearly explained this. You are a great teacher.

@elisevautour6292 3 жыл бұрын

I must get me a hand saw. Great educational video. So many of us haven't a clue. In my neighborhood, every lilac tree needs some TLC. 🥰🇨🇦

@mp5249 3 жыл бұрын

Overgrown lilacs are not pretty

@nisacornforth2740 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I had no idea what to do with my 20 foot tall lilac😮 I will lop the whole thing off and hope for the best next year.

@pamelagreenan 4 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy ur videos, you r very knowledgable, but not a know it all, and ur very relaxed. I feel incredibly at peace while watching your vids.

@crystalnipp6805 4 жыл бұрын

This was a great explanation of the different approaches. I have 5 that are really over grown. I've always been terrified to prune them, but now I feel pretty confident! Three years from now, they'll be gorgeous! And maybe I won't need a 12 foot ladder to reach the top of them! Thanks so much.

@barbmureillesplace7338 4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful job explaining this. I have a huge out of control lilac right next to a flowering cherry tree and I was at a loss as to what to do. Another looks like a tree so I will trim as per your directions. Appreciate your expertise. Now I know what to do after it has bloomed. Thanks again

@fnoofat1 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! We inherited an old overgrown lilac (my favorite!!) with the purchase of an old house. Unfortunately a spring snow storm took down some branches and made me aware that it was time to prune the 2+ story plant! I'll follow the advice once the flowers are spent and hopefully next year we'll get even more flowers!

@Sarah-ht7cs 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. So informative and helpful! Love the T-shirt too. :)

@Pamalumpa 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. This is really helpful. I have two lilacs that just look terrible. I moved in last spring and cleaned out the dead wood. This year I had one purple and one white bush - pretty flowers but not very many. Last year they were both pretty diseased and was told it was because they had little air flow. This year, a landscaper came and advised me to cut one down to about 5 feet after the blooms were done. Your video helps me learn just how to prune for long lasting, beautiful and healthy plants. Thank you!

@Tamara-qs7pu 4 жыл бұрын

The most comprehensive lilac pruning video on youtube, thank you for this. Very informative, very easy to follow and very interesting.

@GardenerScott 4 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@tammyparker2960 Жыл бұрын

Thank you this was very informative and helpful! I now feel confident that I can fix my Lilac 😊

@70sfred1 4 жыл бұрын

Very informative! I have rwo in my backyard, and I had cut them in late winter, and now I know why the flowers haven't been abundant.

@cherimerrifield8907 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad. Know I can cut them down all the way. We moved into ones frowning about 15 feet, and I have trimmed and cut with no knowledge (also hard to get to), I’ll do it some more today!, I had accidentally taken about a third off, and did it right......imagine that..... off to my next third, flowers dead a week.

@gordbaker896 4 жыл бұрын

Don't do it. You could be ruining the Bush.

@phyllisstone3089 3 жыл бұрын

Just the video I was looking for. I have a huge lilac "tree" in my yard and was afraid of cutting since I know nothing about gardening. Your video gives me the confidence to cut the whole tree back so it will bloom again and smell beautiful as well as look beautiful. Thank you!

@attridgekl 2 жыл бұрын

Phyllis how did cutting it way back turn out. I need to do this and am so afraid.

@phyllisstone3089 2 жыл бұрын

@@attridgekl it seems to be growing ok, so far. I guess I'll really know next summer if it grows over the winter and how well it grows. Thanks for asking.

@mrose4132 2 жыл бұрын

@@phyllisstone3089 Hi! I’m interested to know how cutting back your lilac has been now that it’s getting into the growing season!

@phyllisstone3089 2 жыл бұрын

It seems to be growing quite well. I have no flowers this year but plenty of growth coming up. Thanks for asking. I can try to take a picture of it in the daytime and see if I can post it.@@mrose4132

@mld8 3 жыл бұрын

This was incredibly helpful thank you!

@j.o.a.t9718 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this info. I have a wild one out front by our road. Just took out probably 2/3s. All small trees. looks better already.

@tarapath5099 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks -- I am a city girl who now lives outside of the city and my lilacs used to make people stop and breathe them. This year only the top is flowering -- now I know why. THANKS!

@RobbiebethS 4 жыл бұрын

Same here!

@karlafolstad2095 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video! We purchased a house a few years back with totally out of control lilacs and I thought we were going to have to remove them and start over. You’ve given us hope!

@user-pc9hw5km4m 11 ай бұрын

Great explanations. I’m a new gardener and that was really helpful!

@joeseatat 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! We have a lilac bush. Most of the neighbors have allowed theirs to become trees and I didn't want that for ours...but I wasn't sure what to do. Now I'm ready.

@GardenerScott 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I'm very glad it was helpful.

@theresajones6975 3 жыл бұрын

I just bought some land and it has two huge lilac plants with many suckers. Torallt out of control. I am thinking it needs to be totally rejuvinated. If I cut it back to say 18 inches how much will it grow in a year?

@alainastone7840 4 жыл бұрын

My lilac is almost 15 years old, and I've done a pretty good job of keeping it at that 6-8 foot height and training it to grow in roughly the shape I want. However, I think I need to take a slightly more aggressive approach next spring and get rid of some of the really old branches. There are some in the center of the bush that don't even really produce leaves any more. Your tips will be really helpful in knowing which 1/3 are headed for the compost heap.

@GardenerScott 4 жыл бұрын

So glad it was helpful.

@lorihoffman7299 2 жыл бұрын

So helpful!! I have baby lilacs that are spindly and this helps!!

@jonschmidt1545 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this. I did not know you had to prune them. I have 6 right now. Four are over 30 years old and wild. I will trim the other 2.

@maestasify 3 жыл бұрын

Lilac bushes were brought to America by Europeans of all sorts for this reason: When it starts to leaf out, it is time to plant your spring crop. When the flowers are spent, it is time to plant your cold crop. Different climate zones have different times to plant. The lilac tells you when. You are welcome!

@Meta-Drew 3 жыл бұрын

Looking this video up at the beginning of March after the snow melted, guess I'll wait a few months

@AmyHuffShah Күн бұрын

This video was so helpful and thorough. Thank you for posting it! 😊

@ivywreden6330 Ай бұрын

Thanks Scott, good to know. I have two sides of my property so I need to get busy once I heal from back surgery

@BBv9000 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. I think I'm at the cut everything back and start over stage. My lilac is about 25 yrs old and hardly ever trimmed. Big old 3-4 inch trunks all old and narly looking. Not many flowers this year.

@sdhermo80 3 жыл бұрын

That me too, times 8.

@lorijones5537 3 жыл бұрын

Me too! I think our lilac is 40 + years old and unattractive to say the least. I’m going to be ruthless and cut it all the down.

@user-ql2id3ml3i 4 жыл бұрын

I have lilac bushes around my house, never pruned them and they flower every year.

@maggieadams8600 4 жыл бұрын

Same here, I never though you had to prune them.

@marilynroberts9490 4 жыл бұрын

Just moved into a mobile home, lilacs are very top heavy and falling over, thanks for the tips, and Thanks for being a good instructor, now I'm going to prune my lilacs!