It belongs to spring like hardly any other garden tree: the lilac. The white, purple or pink flowering shrub displays its intensely fragrant flowers in the merry month of May, which not only delights people. For numerous insects - especially butterflies, bees and bumblebees - its heyday means a richly laid table. After flowering, however, you should pull out the scissors.
How do I properly cut lilac flowers for the vase?
To properly cut lilac flowers, choose stems with unbloomed buds, cut at the base without leaves and in the early morning. Change the water in the vase every day.
Avoid seeding lilacs
Like so many lushly flowering trees, the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) tends to self-sow. The wild species in particular multiply in large numbers in this way, so that without appropriate countermeasures you will soon be able to call an entire forest your own. However, this does not apply to all types of lilacs; some, especially noble lilacs, are self-sterile and cannot reproduce by sowing. With all other varieties, however, you should prevent this by boldly pruning back the withered shoots. However, if propagation by seeds is planned, collect the capsule fruits in autumn, shake out the fine seeds and sow them in a seed tray.
Watch out for spread through root shoots
In general, some lilacs are very propagative: wild lilacs in particular not only self-seed, but also spread through root runners. You can effectively prevent this with root barriers (€49.00 at Amazon).
Cutting lilac flowers for the vase - How to do it right
Lilac flowers are not only very popular in the garden, but also as vase decorations. To ensure you enjoy the panicles for as long as possible, you should proceed as follows when cutting:
- Cut lilac flower stems whose buds have not yet bloomed.
- Cut the stems directly at the base; they should not have any leaves.
- Cut early in the morning if possible, then the flowers will last longer.
- Change the water in the vase every day.
Tip
In any case, lilacs should be cut back immediately after flowering. Now is the best time to remove old, diseased and incorrectly growing branches.
