How to Prune Lilacs in 4 Easy Steps

[@dialarkingsley3924]

Agreed with comments below, one of the best tutorial I have seen on how to prune Lilacs. Clear and concise, great with showing the detailed visual on the actual branch. Thank you. Viewed from Ontario, Canada.

[@berecca90]

I'd love to see this shrub NEXT spring to see how many blooms come in!

[@kimberlybrown4284]

Lilacs often do not bloom the season after pruning. Especially a severe pruning.

[@jgates1027]

@@kimberlybrown4284 Did you watch the full video? If you did you would have learned how pruning this year produces the flowers next year.

[@mountainbutterfly8791]

Thank you for doing this video tutorial! This was the most helpful video I found. You explained the when, why and how! We just purchased a house and the lilac “tree” with trunks larger than my thigh! I hope to prune it back and let it have an amazing comeback in 2 years! I’m going to do my best to be brave as I watch my husband cut most of it back.

[@debwalsh]

This is exactly what I needed to tackle my Mom's old lilac bushes - still blooming, but no tlc in about 20 years. Plus, I want to extend the line down the driveway to the sidewalk. You can literally get drunk on the scent of these gorgeous bushes, and this tutorial will help me make it even better!

[@carlaadams8317]

This is spot on for lilac care. I have 11 lilac shrubs that are old and woody. I thought we needed to dig them out and purchase new. I think all but one is salvageable after watching this video. I have many suckers and will start new, but am so excited to do the 4 steps plus fertilize and see what happens next year! Many thanks 🙏

[@nancytanguay6290]

Thank you so much f just bought this home and there's a lilac tree out front but so many suckers growing straight up and out you can barely see the blooms so l am so glad l came across your video. Thanks again 🙂

[@elainevenditti1695]

Great tutorial!! Very thorough and comprehensive! Way better than most articles I've read.

[@elysenapoli6395]

Perfect timing. We moved into a new house and we inherited an overgrown lilac.

[@philneubauer5612]

Thanks for your insights and I especially liked the red line highlighting of the plant areas that were being worked on.

[@Trip.C]

I remember 10 years ago i went into the forest and got a lilac from a shrub since then it grew into a medium size tree 20ft or more 1 thick trunk and lots and lots of flowers .. the secret of the fast growth and height i cut the flowers when they were in full bloom ... DON'T DO THAT it will not bloom the next year 100% ..but if u want it to grow extremly fast and strong with palm sized leaves u can ,ofc if u don't mind the lack of flowers for a couple of years, but the end result is incredible.

[@mountaintopjoey234]

Yes! Finally a comprehensive tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@redshop2003]

This was fantastic. Learned so much from this video. Not scared to prune anymore!

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

So glad it was helpful for you!

[@marciacoco9549]

Thank you so much for this video. I have a big lilac tree that I really never knew how to prune. Great video ❣️

[@stephaniedangelo3658]

Super, straightforward steps with fantastic actual demonstration! Thanks so much!

[@onedazinn998]

Such a wonderfully detailed prune video & you helped me so much as I have a Lilac out of control with suckers & it's never been pruned. I had no idea they will root from prunings & I'd love to make some new starts. :) thank you so much. 5 star video!

[@AnnetteLasike-fh5my]

Thank you for your instructions. 30 years ago I planted 100, 4 ft trees, 5 ft apart around 3 sides of my yard. They are beautiful and I get many compliments about them. I have noticed that they block almost all the noise from neighborhood. However, I have neglected the middle of my bushes. I never knew how to trim them. I have asked many people how to prun them. No one does them the same way. I am so happy I found you! I will be checking in with you from now on. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. By the way, you have a great voice and you speak beautifully. 😊

[@chachadodds5860]

WoW! This was amazing! So appreciate that you addressed suckers, and covered propagation as well, since I've been wanting to do this recently. Thank you, Angela, for doing this very timely video. 💛 Hope your Mother's Day, was full of love and joy.

[@debbiefuller-white80]

This is so clear and easy to follow. Thank you so much!

[@melindajohnson383]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Bought new hm and acquired an overgrown lilac. I knew nothing and didn't want to harm it. Now I have a lot of work to do. Thankfully, I LOVE it. Have a lovely day.

[@terrycarkner1698]

Glad I watched this again. I help maintain a garden at a state park in Washington, an old homestead with lovely gardens and lots of lilacs that haven’t been cared for years! And I can see that we have been pruning all wrong, cutting out the new stems and leaving old stems! And doing it in spring before blooming. Thanks for your wonderful detailed advice.

[@MyraKennedy-l1m]

This tutorial was SO WELL filmed that I could easily see what to do. The pace of presentation was excellent - I was able to listen, see and learn at the same time! Thank you so much!

[@BlueGardenCottage]

Thank you. That's rally fascinating and informative. Here in Wales we tend to grow them as a tree and keep a trunk or trunks, just pruning the 'top' to keep it as a airy tree canopy. I saw one yesterday pruned as a hedge. Looks like you can do quite a bit with a Lilac. Good thing as I really love them . I will treat mine like a small tree (keeping the top only as high as I can reach) so I can keep the trunk clear and light underneath for my tiny garden so I can grow other plants underneath. The Lilacs in my aunts garden have self seeded all over the place and have become quite invasive. So to clip the blooms as soon as finished flowering is really good advice. Love your videos. Thanks.

[@jgates1027]

I used your process last year and I had wonderful luck with the 5 bushes down my driveway.

[@comiksitran6437]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! This is the most complete and easiest to understand tutorial on the care of lilacs that I have found. I inherited my parents home fifteen years ago which included four lilacs, which were always thick, lush and beautiful, well cared for by my parents. Unfortunately none of us thought to teach me the 'tricks of the trade' and so the past several years that has become apparent by the looks of the bushes. Yes I deadheaded the blooms but never sure exactly where to cut, and I removed dead branches but that was it. I watched many videos but they usually talked as if I was already supposed to know what they meant with no close-up good pictures of what was being done. Now, thanks to you my lilacs are going to get the TLC they've been missing. Thank you ❣

[@KristenK78]

Fantastic video! I bought a house with a HUGE shrub that has definitely seen better days. It’s been almost 4 years, and I’ve done what I can. There are a ton of suckers this year. There are also branches that look more like trunks, with old, rough, degraded bark. I now feel a lot more confident about saying goodbye to those! They’re resting on the chain-link fence, too, and so in danger of growing around the fence (as have other trees on the property).

[@dbpieper8597]

This was really easy to follow and to understand for us newbies. The only thing I would have liked to see was a close up of a cut of the "oldest, thickest" branches.

[@daisyq2501]

Excellent video. Clearly explained and shown with markings. Excellent!

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dalsmoua]

Thank you for such a thorough video!! I just started pruning this year and didn't know i should deadhead them. I may need a total rehab next spring!

[@AuraDawn_Health]

This was very helpful! Thank you! I have two big lilac bushes at my new house, looks like they've been neglected. I didn't know they were so easy to root also😊✌️

[@janineaggott6741]

Thanks so much. I have a gorgeous lilac which I always deadhead so I have tons of blooms but it’s getting too large. You gave easy instructions and explained everything on how to cut back and why.

[@jaynebahler9696]

Very good explanation on pruning lilacs! I never knew how to propagate lilacs either Thankyou I will try that 👏🏻👏🏻

[@wonderwoman4875]

Thank you for this video! I bought my home over a year ago and I have four bushes and that didn’t bloom last year for some reason but this year.. wow! I love lilacs and plan to root the small stems around my backyard.

[@LisaKnobel]

My property has quite a few lilac bushes that are very old and neglected. Since I live in a desert environment, I have hesitated in cutting out all of the old branches. Each year, I have been taking out a few of the largest ones and reducing the overall height of the bushes. A heavy we snowstorm pushed me to take out more as I lost many of the biggest branches from that. My mother keeps telling me the story of the time a car plowed down the old lilacs at my grandmothers. They trimmed it back to the ground and the next year the blossoms were amazing. But, then again she lived in a swampy area. I appreciate your steps. I kind of did a mix of all of them. Unfortunately, I was a bit late getting to it. But, we also have a long fall season with mild temps for encouraging late season growth. Now, I need to find one on forsythia. My neighbor has a huge bush that is overgrown and no longer blooms. I really want him to take it down to the ground and start over.

[@andrelamoureux6167]

Just bought a lilac so this is a great learning video thank you

[@pattyszymczak2792]

thank you so much for this video i definitely feel more confident about pruning my lilac

[@freddavis422]

Thank you so much for this desperately needed information I have been wondering how and when to prune my lilac for some time now this was very helpful again thank you

[@rosecocchiarella2009]

Thank you so much. This is exactly what I needed to know to care for my lilacs!

[@tkosse]

Great video. Very informative. I just planted two lilacs and will follow your suggestions in future years.

[@MolissaJane]

Thank you! I'm heading out with my pruning shears now and feel much more confident about the job.

[@PegsGarden]

Hi Angela, never grew lilacs before, this was very interesting , hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day 🌸🌼

[@rachelholdt6840]

I was just looking at my mom's lilac and thinking I need to prune it. Thanks for showing me how!

[@lucev7497]

Very informative, clear and simple, thank you, much appreciated

[@a.m.l.8760]

Thank you very much for your knowledge, it is just what I needed to hear about my blooms! Good job.

[@kasban8672]

Last year i did a total rehab on a lilac that i inherited. Took out more than 1/3 of the old trunks for sure. Got sooo many suckers this year!! Now that the blooms have bloomed, im here to refresh my memory what to do now hehe. Thanks for a great video!!

[@GYH.2023]

Thank you for encouraging me to do the job with confidence

[@white.iris.cottage.design]

This video was extremely helpful. The demonstrations were excellent and your explanations were clear and easy to understand. Just what I needed, as my lilac blossoms are fading. You have inspired me and I am anxious to get going with my pruning this beautiful sunny day. Blessings to you.

[@margaretmechler3064]

Thank you so much! I have to do a total rehab on my inherited bush. This lilac is over 50 years old and the entire bottom and middle look dead, but the outer layer is beautiful. I can never find an answer on how to fix this problem. So, thank you so much!

[@Anikanoteven]

Soooo helpful! you got right to the point, and your steps are logical and takes the scary out for newbie pruners!

[@margaretchiodo-keller4495]

Thank you for posting this very informative video. I will be taking your advice, and trimming back my lilacs after they are done blooming here in my zone 7A garden.

[@JackAgainski]

Best video I've seen on pruning lilacs. You covered everything, great job!

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

Wow, thank you!

[@donnao8950]

I’m a beginner gardener and I found this really helpful!

[@LookNook2020]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you very much. I bought a property with a very leggy lilac and now I know how to rejuvenate it without killing it. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@wyominghome4857]

Thanks! We bought property last year with several old lilacs with thick stems. I've been so excited because the last time I had lilacs was in Virginia, where mildew was a constant problem because of the humidity. Here it's so dry these look plenty healthy, just leggy. Also, they have lots of suckers coming up at the base.

[@Okla0212]

So easy to watch and listen to! Love your way of presenting.

[@RJ-eg2nx]

Thank you so much for this great tutorial. You explained clearly what to do for many different possibilities with the lilac. I look forward to more videos.

[@julieirmer5365]

Very helpful. I have tall, gangly tree-ish lilacs that need drastic pruning. I will try the total rehab!!

[@Su-du8rx]

Thanks I will try this. Haven’t had blooms for a few years Need to cut down greatly appreciate. I love in Ca up in Mtns. Hopefully this will work.

[@PedroSerrazina]

This is the ultimate lilac pruning video. I refer to it often. 👍🏼

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

🥰🥰🥰

[@robertcotrell9810]

This was a fantastically informative video! I planted a lilac last Spring, and I'm very excited for blooms this coming season!

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annh9225]

Thank you - most informative.

[@damattice23]

Most helpful lilac video I’ve seen thank you

[@dragonfly656]

Lilacs grow gigantic and almost wild in my area of the country and I’m quite sure that most of them never get pruned. How is it that they continue to bloom prolifically?

[@josephmcgee8450]

Thank you for your help! You are so Pretty!

[@Stewart-zk1fg]

Great video. Hopefully I can figure out what to do, and I have the correct plant.

[@jomoreno9134]

Thank you for the lilac pruning info!! I am now a subscriber!

[@hayleyshull4703]

Very helpful video! Thank you so much!!! I inherited a lilac from a very dear older lady whom I loved. She has passed, which is how I got the lilac. And I have been trying to learn how I can save it so I can have a piece of her in my garden. Thank you so much.

[@daraneetang5698]

Your video was so good and informative! It was straightforward, clear and loved the explanations!

[@nikleigh456]

very good job . your vid is the best one i found yet!! thank you.

[@MrTmac2023]

subscribed :) im working on a customers lilac bushes today and needed to study up. off topic: At 36 years of age, id give anything to have an attractive and smart woman in my life to garden with :)

[@kayteeflick]

Love this. Going to go make my cup of coffee and get pruning!

[@danham3344]

Excellent video with great useful info. Thanks!

[@vlahks86]

Thank you Angela for your excellent and highly informative style of pruning the Lilacs.... I have been thinking about this for a few years and was too afraid of damaging the bushes.... your brilliant and mellow video helped me to overcome my fears.... Thanks again.... Do you happen to know a variety of Lilac with a strong wonderful scent ??

[@annettewoodbury9949]

Excellent video. Great information. Thank you.

[@SharonWadsworthSmithart]

Awesome and very detailed! Thanks so much.

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

Thanks very helpful, I'll be doing this today.

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

Cut off all the old blooms this evening.

[@johngalt166]

nothing gets done without my coffee

[@PureBlooded]

Best Lilac info on the web thank you

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

You're so welcome!

[@misstinytrader88]

Thank you! I got to do this for the first time! Now I have a clue! ❤

[@jacquig1939]

Im going out to see about my favorite one growing up. My dad never did maintenance and the lilac has to be at least 40 years old still blooms but shes looking rough.

[@heloshark]

Very informative - great content!

[@carolmoreau603]

Thank you so much for this video. It was so helpful and explained in a way that I could understand and follow easily. Look forward to your tomato video next.

[@lindasorensen2966]

Thank you for this very helpful and timely video. I have one question. My lilacs are taller than I would like them to be. How to I prune them down to the size I would like?

[@deboje1]

Thank you, I Appreciate this video. Lilacs are my favorite I at my new house I really needed to know how to care for them. Your information was clear and will be easy to follow. I did like and subscribe, see you in the next video.

[@emmaapplegate1970]

Great tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@meleakua]

How would you recommend someone do the 'hard pruning' on an older lilac 'tree'? 😂 It seems like using a chainsaw would be harsh but there is so much going on at the base of the plant & seems like a lot to cut with a pruning saw. Thanks for the great video!

[@jasonzarate6664]

Reciprocating saw with a nice long blade, low tooth count.

[@Brennannnnnnnnn]

@@jasonzarate6664 they make pruning blades for recip saws. I just cut a ton of bamboo with one it was butter

[@stevest1300]

Good video. But I chickened out almost immediately on cutting the old blossoms off. They had fat, green buds(?) growing within the spent flowers. I thinned a bit but ran away from the other 5 plants that have reached about 8 feet in the past 6 or so years. It's late June here in southern BC. The flowers were done several weeks ago from a hot May. I guess I left it too long. I cleaned up the shoots, cut a 1 inch thick main stalk as a test. We'll wait till next year to attack them.

[@aeastman59]

I did not know any of this, very helpful thank you!

[@isaacbrascoupe]

Can't wait for next year 🥳

[@connieegerer8139]

very detailed and helpful thank you

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

You are welcome!

[@angiemcdermid4845]

Exactly what I needed. Thanks

[@jjeennnnnn]

This video was awesome!

[@barbaraclark9423]

Very well explained! 😊

[@n.w.414]

Thank you for showing such good details.

[@maryhewitt5645]

Visuals r so good thank u

[@sanfranman59]

Terrific clear and informative video. Thanks for taking the time to make it. I love the way you laid out the four steps because it helped drive home for me how the plant grows. The part about propagating from a thin, unhealthy-looking sucker is amazing. However, I don't understand why there would be any flowers left in triads for step 2 if you've already dead-headed all the flowers in step 1. Am I misunderstanding something? Also, I've got a plant that's about 3-4 feet tall, pretty nicely shaped (it doesn't seem out of control to me), has a whole bunch of fairly tightly-bunched canes and is producing lots of beautiful, very fragrant blooms right now. I'm not sure how old the plant is, but I'd say that it's at least 10 years old. We've never done any pruning or dead-heading with it at all, but I'm thinking that maybe we should start this year. Is it advisable that I begin to follow the 3-year plan and remove a third of the oldest looking and/or damaged canes this year?

[@ljay4996]

Hello Angela this video was very informative. I have 2 French lilac shrubs that I planted 17 years ago. They hated the area: barely grew and never bloomed. We transplanted them to a different area 10 years ago. They do grow and bloom now, but very small blooms. I do fertilize in spring with Espoma Plant-tone . Do you have information and instruction for French lilacs? Thank you!

[@meredithdraycott5000]

Wonderful tutorial - so clear and well laid out. I can't wait to get out and prune my lilac tomorrow morning - I only hope its not too late as my blooms are already brown and with seed pods 😬🙄🤞 Thanks for posting am now checking out all your other videos 😃

[@donaldauguston9740]

I LOVED this video. Thank you!!!! DA

[@nickvelluzzi]

thank you i appreciate your knowledge!!

[@MissMary1012]

Thank you so much for All this info 😊 would you say, that you would actually be able to plant a new schrub, by replanting a sucker (or rootshoot) from the base in another gardenlocation?