Unfortunately, your lilac has faded and the time of fragrant flowers is over. What are you going to do with the dried inflorescences now? Do you have to cut off faded lilacs or do you just let nature take its course and not intervene? First of all: Yes, you cut the faded lilacs and that applies to all varieties. The big question is probably why, when exactly and how much you can actually cut. We have prepared a short guide for you.
Why should you cut off spent lilac flowers?
The lilac bush is one of those shrubs that produce their flower buds the previous year (aThe exception is the buddleia). To make it easier for the shrub to do this for the coming year and to encourage the formation of new shoots, simply help by cutting the spent lilac. In addition, you prevent seed production and thus prevent the plant from reproducing itself (does not apply to the noble lilac), which can be a problem, especially with wild species.
In this so-called maintenance cut,i.e. cleaning it out, you should not cut it at random, but rather handle the bush carefully (the ban on cutting still applies until October).
When should lilacs be cut when they have faded?
So now you know why you should cut off the lilac flowers. But when do you cut off the faded lilacs? The following applies: the faster you do itfaded lilacscutting, the better. The right time is usually the end of May, as soon as the flowering period is over. The goal is to get ahead of budding so as not to affect next year's blooms. For the same reason, you should not cut back the shrub in autumn or spring, unless you want to rejuvenate it.
- Choose a dry and warm day to cut the lilac!
- End of May to end of June is considered optimal
- The morning should be preferred for pruning the lilacs.
- They can take their cue from the flowers: before the seeds ripen, they have to go
How to cut the faded lilac
Not only is the right time important, but where you cut also plays an important role so that you can enjoy the full blooms again next year. To do this, you should know where exactly the buds are placed on the branch. You can also use the cutting off of the spent flowers for some types of lilacs to make a few more powerful cuts.
Important:Lilac bushes have the property of reacting to excessive pruning by forming undesirable root runners. But you take away the strength to develop them by reducing the growth of the remaining bush. In addition, the runners are very stubborn and cannot be removed so easily. The whole thing is a stress reaction that you should try to avoid.
Remove flowers correctly during maintenance pruning
In order to cut the lilac correctly, you must place the cut in the right place below the flowers. Depending on the species, the plant produces its buds on a two-year-old or one-year-old cane. So if you cut too deeply, the next flowering will be delayed. For this reason, place it directly below the flower spike, where the first branch is, then nothing can go wrong. Especially if new shoots have already formed directly underneath (they are still green and soft), you should be careful not to injure them, because there are already plants here.
Cutting faded lilacs: Combine with a light rejuvenation cut
Since you shouldn't trim around the lilac bush or tree in spring and autumn, now is also the right time to carry out a shape and care pruning that serves to freshen up (the exception is the rejuvenation pruning for older bushes, which is carried out in one of these two seasons becomes). Furthermore, it is now important to thin out smaller species and remove dead or diseased-looking twigs and branches.
To thin out, simply look for branches that cross each other and thus disturb each other. Even those that grow inwards can be trimmed or shortened. This not only guarantees good ventilation, but also ensures that sufficient light reaches the interior of the shrub. Bare branches and twigs are also allowed to go, as are those that no longer produce flowers due to age.
By making these cuts alongside the faded flowers, you will rejuvenate the shrub regularly and give it more vitality. Always cut smoothly and directly at the base so that no twigs stick out.
Bonus tip for optimal lilac care
The flowering phase may be over, but not the entire growth phase. In order for the shrub to recover well after the cuts and to grow vigorously and form flower buds for the next season, it needs nutrients. It's best to pamper him straight away with a portion of fertilizer made from compost and horn shavings.
How to save the shrub after frost damageread here.
