Cut the summer lilac: If you are going on like this, you will experience the most lavish flower in summer

In advance in the video: These shrubs need a pruning in February

Do you want your summer lilac this year to bloom lush? Then you should cut it as soon as possible. Read here how that works.

I admit it: until recently my summer lilac looked like an oversized mop on legs. Wild, with long, thin branches that shot in all directions.

A few weeks ago, new little leaves formed and I was so proud because I thought: Great, he was doing nice, I did everything right.

But then my neighbor, who practically works as a gardener, pointed me out that I should cut my summer lilac as quickly as possible. And not timid, but radical. Why do I explain to you here.

Why cut summer lilac?

Maybe you ask yourself: why should I use scissors at all? After all, summer lilac, which is also called butterfly lilac, as if by itself. That is exactly the problem. The biggest mistake is not to cut the Buddleja.

Without a cut, Buddleja develops uncontrolled, long shoots and loses flowering joy more and more. If you don't cut the summer lilac in late winter, you risk that it grows strongly in summer and that many leaves, but a few flowers form.

In addition, a regular cut helps to remain compact and bushy - and that makes it all the more attractive.

Also interesting:

When is the best time for the summer lilac back?

The ideal time for the Buddleja pruning is the late winter or the very early spring before the summer lilac strikes strongly. It is best to cut the summer lilac back in February. Because: the later the pruning, the later the flower.

Summer lilac blooms on the new shoots, so you shouldn't wait too long and can be "radical".

Also read:

The summer lilac should be cut back in February.Credit:Adobe Stock

This is how you cut summer lilac properly

I have to admit: I have a hard time cutting off the long shoots on which new leaves had already formed. But I want a lot of flowers in summer, so it had to be.

So you should proceed when cutting the summer lilac:

Radical pruning:Cut all shoots back to about 30 to 50 cm above the floor. Yes, that sounds like clearing, but don't worry - it comes back all the more strongly.
Shut off the side shoots:If you leave a little longer in the middle and cut the sides shorter, the shrub becomes more compact and more elegant.
Outdoor wood:If the summer lilac is very old, you can remove some older branches completely every year to make room for fresh shoots.
Remove withered flowers regularly:During the season it helps to cut off faded panicles so that the shrub forms new flowers.

With the Buddleja pruning, you can prove courageously because the flowers form on the new shoots.Credit:Adobe Stock

My aha moment with summer lilac

I was skeptical for a long time when my neighbor advised me to cut the summer lilac so radically. But believe me that in summer you will be rewarded with a floral splendor that attracts countless butterflies. Especially tagpooter eyes will dance around the purple flowers.

So, get on the garden scissors, your summer lilac will thank you!

Do you fancy even more gardening? Look here which perennials are considered particularly easy to care for:

Lavender not only looks nice and is easy to care for, but also keeps snails with its fragrance.

Women's mantle can be set as an easy -care ground cover that acts as a snail protection fence.

Rainfarn (Tanacetum Vulgare) is a multi -year plant that grows wild in many parts of the world. It prefers sunny locations and is easy to care for.

Mediterranean plants such as rosemary, thyme and sage need little water and also thrive splendidly in a plump sun. In addition, they keep snails away.

Girls thrive at sunny locations with permeable soil. Easy for care due to its adaptability to different ground and climate conditions.

Fetthenne prefers sunny locations with well permeable soil. It has high dryness tolerance and low demands on the soil quality.

Cat mint prefers sunny locations with well permeable soil. It rarely has to be poured.

Rosemary prefers sunny locations with well permeable soil. It is resistant to pests and only needs a little water.

The chasing is available in many extraordinary colors. It is one of the domestic perennials that are very easy to care for.

Bodendeck thyme is easy to care for and attracts insects.

Another tip:If you want to prevent the summer lilac from spreading uncontrollably, remove the faded inflorescences in good time. So your garden not only stays beautiful, but also in check!