Winterizing Lilac Shrubs Tips For Lilac Care In Winter

Give your lilac a good watering (2 to 3 gallons) before the ground freezes to ensure the shrub is hydrated before winter starts. Use 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch, like shredded leaves or bark, around the base of your lilac to prevent winter heave, the exposure of roots due to the ground freezing and thawing.

1. How do you prune lilac bushes for the winter?
2. Should you cut back lilacs in the fall?
3. When should I cut back my lilacs?
4. How do you protect a lilac bush from frost?

How do you prune lilac bushes for the winter?

Trimming lilacs is best accomplished using clippers. Remove spent blooms all the way to the stems to prevent seeding and encourage more blooms later on. Cut back about a third of the branches. Cut away shoots growing near the ground that may be sprouting from the main trunk.

Should you cut back lilacs in the fall?

Lilacs should be pruned yearly to develop a good framework of stems and promote vigorous growth that enhances flowering. ... Removing stems may be done immediately after flowering, or, if you don't mind sacrificing a few blossoms, in late winter. Shoots and stems should be cut off at or just below soil level.

When should I cut back my lilacs?

The time to prune mature lilac plants is just after the flowers have faded in the spring. Lilacs set next season's flower buds almost immediately, so late pruning will mean sacrificing the next year's flowers.

How do you protect a lilac bush from frost?

Use a blanket, canvas, or even plastic tent over the bush to help protect the buds form the cold. Remove it during the day if temperatures warm up so the plant can get sun and air.