Clipping lilacs primarily refers to the process of deadheading spent flowers after they have bloomed. This practice helps maintain the plant's appearance and ensures that the plant's energy is directed towards healthy growth rather than seed production.
Why Deadhead Lilac Flowers?
Deadheading, the act of removing spent blooms, offers several benefits for your lilac bush:
- Improved Aesthetics: It removes unsightly faded flowers, making your bush look tidier and more vibrant.
- Energy Redirection: By preventing the plant from expending energy on developing seeds, deadheading can encourage the plant to put more energy into root development, foliage growth, or setting buds for the following year. While not explicitly guaranteeing more blooms, it optimizes the plant's overall health and vigor.
The Exact Way to Clip Lilac Flowers (Deadheading)
The key to correctly clipping lilac flowers is to remove only the dead bloom without inadvertently cutting off the new growth that will produce next year's flowers.
Timing:
The best time to deadhead lilacs is immediately after the flowers have faded and begun to brown, typically in late spring or early summer.
The Clipping Process:
- Identify Spent Blooms: Look for clusters of flowers that have wilted, discolored, or dried out. These are the ones you need to remove.
- Locate Next Year's Blooms: As the reference states, it's crucial to identify the new growth. "If you can see next year's blooms forming (two new shoots coming from the stem), simply focus on the spent bloom's stem." These new shoots are tiny, fresh green growths emerging just below the faded flower head.
- Make the Precise Cut: "You don't want to cut off next year's flowers! To deadhead lilacs, simply snip the dead flower, leaving the stem and leaves in place." Use clean, sharp bypass pruners. Make your cut just above where these two new shoots emerge from the main stem, or if new shoots aren't visible, cut back to a strong leaf node. The goal is to remove only the spent flower and its immediate stem, preserving all existing foliage and emerging buds.
Quick Guide to Deadheading Lilacs
| Step | Action | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Timing | Clip after flowers fade (late spring/early summer). | Do not wait until seeds form; clip as soon as blooms wilt. |
| 2. Identify | Find faded, discolored, or dried-up flower clusters. | Focus on the top-most part of the branch where the flowers were. |
| 3. Locate New Growth | Look for two new shoots emerging from the stem directly below the spent flower. | These are crucial for next year's blooms; avoid cutting them off. |
| 4. Snip | Use clean, sharp bypass pruners to cut the stem of the spent bloom. | Cut just above the new shoots, leaving the stem, leaves, and new growth intact. |
By following these steps, you can effectively clip your lilacs, ensuring they remain healthy and continue to produce beautiful blooms year after year.
[[Lilac Pruning]]
