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Deadheading lilac?

ElizaRoseElizaRose Posts: 121
in Problem solving
Do you really need to do this? I have a huge lilac shrub - I have tried to do it one year, but it defeated me. What is the rationale? (I should say, I have read that one should deadhead lilac.)

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645
    It's not essential for the plant but does look better than fading brown flowers.   The main reason to do it is if you want to reduce the size or rejuvenate the plant and the best time to do that is immediately after flowering as it then has the rest of the season to grow and ripen new shoots that will flower the following year.

    Do it too late and you lose a season of flowers.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • ElizaRoseElizaRose Posts: 121
    Thanks Obelixx. I am going to give it a general prune at any rate. Thank you for explaining.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645
    Pleasure.  Timely reminder for me too as we have two unruly lilacs to tidy up and one that's been in intensive care following neglect by previous owners combined with drought but is now doing well.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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