When to prune lilac
Within about 3 weeks after flowers fade. Next year's flower buds form soon after bloom; prune right after flowering. Renew overgrown shrubs by removing about a third of the oldest stems each year.
| Type | shrub |
|---|---|
| Blooms on | old wood |
| Bloom season | spring |
| When to prune | Within about 3 weeks after flowers fade |
| Stop | No heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost |
Avoid
Pruning after early summer.
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Sources
- University of Minnesota Extension: Growing lilacs for Minnesota landscapes
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture): Pruning Deciduous Shrubs
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Pruning Shrubs
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
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