Any lilac bush experts out there?

[CJK]

Here's a little background. We planted a little lilac bush in our backyard 2yrs ago. Last year, there were about 6 or 7 bunches of flowers. They were beautiful! This past winter we didn't cover the lilac bush and as a result, rabbits got at it and bit off all the ends of the bush. This spring, the bush has lots of green leaves and seems to be growing quickly. However, there is not one single flower on it (and based on other trees/bushes in the area, they should be blooming by now).

I read that for the first few years of a lilac bush/tree being planted, you shouldn't trim it or the flowers will never come back. Is this true? We didn't trim it, but the rabbits basically did. Does this mean this bush won't flower again or is there hope for next year? Thanks so much for your help.

 

[mtblujeans]

I am basically bumping this up for you.

I don't know the answer but, to take a guess at it.....wait and see. If it does not flower, you can try planting a few cuttings from it and planting them nearby and they may flower. My guess would be that if there are bees around to pollinate them, they may flower even if you don't expect them to.

I have read that you can take one of the branches and peel some of the outer 'skin' off and pull it down to the ground near the base of the bush and cover it with dirt. After a while (I don't know how long), it will take root and then you can cut it from the main plant and plant it.

We will be getting lilac bushes this summer so I will be learning about them....but that does not help you now....sorry!

 

[poohandwendy]

We have 3 lilac bushes and have literally pruned them down to the ground (in the past). They still keep coming back and blooming. I am no horticulturalist, but ours seem to go through years where they are full of blooms and then other years where they are sort of just growing leaves. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Wait and see.

Lilacs are so awesome in bllom!

 

[poohandwendy]

Just wanted to add, I noticed that in spite of the harsh winter and rabbit molestation (LOL), they came back with good leaf growth. That is a good sign that they are not lost forever.

 

[nocnurse]

If lilacs are pruned (by human or rabbit) more than a few weeks after blooming, all the flowers for the next year are cut away. Lilacs, like a lot of spring flowering shrubs, set their flowers for the next year shortly after blooming. When your lilacs get bigger than the rabbits, you will have blooms. Do all your pruning immediately after the flowers fade if you want to have flowers the next year.

 

[Sparx]

it sounds like the plant is recovering from shock. It is growing leaves nicely, but it is concentrating all of it's energy on that. It will probably bloom again, but probably not this season.

 

[CJK]

Oh thank you!!! Thanks to everyone. I'm feeling much better about it now. I didn't like the thought of no more flowers. Glad to know there's still hope for next year!

 

[pumba]

this fall ....probably October and then lime it again in the very very early spring...maybe april or the last of march.......this helps the plants. Our dalmatian gnawed on the new growth and hubby put up fencing so we can save some of the double french purple and double whites.......which are gorgeous.....