How to Grow, Prune and Propagate Lilacs

DebDavies | Sep 1, 2009 |

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Lilacs are known for their amazing scent and abundance of flowers during the spring. There are hundreds of varieties of Lilacs. Lilacs are a relatively low maintenance shrub, easily grown, pruned and propagated.

Things You Need

Garden gloves
Pruning shears
Fertilizer
Rock
Mulch
Compost
Garden spade
Stake
Garden hose

Lilacs need full sun, although some Lilacs with darker flowers do better in light shade so flowers won't fade. They need good drainage, benefit from compost and should be mulched to control weeds. Lilacs should be fertilized with a general all purpose fertilizer in spring before flowering and then again afterwards.

Prune Lilacs after flowering, usually mid June. Remove any dead Lilac branches, branches older than 3 years and approximately 1/3 of all branches to improve air circulation and prevent mildew. Leave a few of the Lilac suckers intact so the Lilac has branches of varying ages. Lilacs that are poorly pruned will only bloom at the top and the flowers will get smaller each year.

Propagate Lilac by choosing a sucker that is approximately 4 feet long and 1/2 inch thick. Bend the Lilac sucker to the ground, remove any leaves that would be underground. Dig a hole approximately 2 inches deep, add some compost, scrape some bark from the bottom of the sucker and add some rooting hormone. Rooting hormone is not necessary but it will help the Lilac root faster. Cover with soil and place a rock over this to keep the Lilac sucker underground. Fasten the end of the Lilac sucker to a stake so your future Lilac tree grows straight. Water thoroughly. Do not let the Lilac sucker dry out. Separate the new Lilac tree from the "parent" tree when it is at least 2 feet high.