Make the sad lilac bushes happy
May 26, 2013 1:41 PM Subscribe
I'm visiting my folks this weekend, and their lilac bushes are looking a little sad. Why are they sad? How can we make them happy?
Originally they had four (placed 15 years ago) but one died a few years ago. Starting last summer the others have started to decline: one has very severely declined, and two don't look particularly healthy. There are only a few purple flowers, and there are some very brown shoots as well as many twigs that didn't put off any leaves this year.
Dad has tried trimming back the dead branches last summer but it doesn't seem to have helped. They are watered 2-3 days per week by a standard lawn sprinkler system. They don't get any special fertilizer. The grass growing around them appears healthy and green.
Here are pictures. I can't get the picture of the really pathetic bush to upload properly; it really looks like a more bedraggled version of these two.
So, help them save these bushes. I'd like advice on what could be wrong, and on how to care for them.
Originally they had four (placed 15 years ago) but one died a few years ago. Starting last summer the others have started to decline: one has very severely declined, and two don't look particularly healthy. There are only a few purple flowers, and there are some very brown shoots as well as many twigs that didn't put off any leaves this year.
Dad has tried trimming back the dead branches last summer but it doesn't seem to have helped. They are watered 2-3 days per week by a standard lawn sprinkler system. They don't get any special fertilizer. The grass growing around them appears healthy and green.
Here are pictures. I can't get the picture of the really pathetic bush to upload properly; it really looks like a more bedraggled version of these two.
So, help them save these bushes. I'd like advice on what could be wrong, and on how to care for them.
You should cut out the large old center branches after flowering is over. Leave some of the young shoots. They will grow and the plant will thrive next year.
http://butler.osu.edu/topics/horticulture/news/why-and-how-should-i-prune-my-lilac-bush
posted by JayRwv at 3:11 PM on May 26, 2013
http://butler.osu.edu/topics/horticulture/news/why-and-how-should-i-prune-my-lilac-bush
posted by JayRwv at 3:11 PM on May 26, 2013
Here's another short site on rejuvenation. If it were me, I would take a chainsaw and slice them off about 8 inches or a foot at most from the ground. I've done this with spireas and it really works.
Also, when they start blossoming again, that is the time for pruning, not summer or fall. They set the buds for next year after the blossoms die off (ask me how I know).
There area also videos on YouTube outlining the cut 1/3 method.
You can also call the county extension office and ask to talk to their woody plant expert.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:14 PM on May 26, 2013
Also, when they start blossoming again, that is the time for pruning, not summer or fall. They set the buds for next year after the blossoms die off (ask me how I know).
There area also videos on YouTube outlining the cut 1/3 method.
You can also call the county extension office and ask to talk to their woody plant expert.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:14 PM on May 26, 2013
My experience with lilacs is, the more I hack them down the more vigorously they grow.
posted by BenPens at 3:24 PM on May 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by BenPens at 3:24 PM on May 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Go ahead and cut off all the dead wood, your don't need to wait on that.
posted by yohko at 6:33 PM on May 26, 2013
posted by yohko at 6:33 PM on May 26, 2013
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posted by selfnoise at 2:47 PM on May 26, 2013