Lilac is a very robust tree and, if you put your mind to it, is almost impossible to kill. This also applies to specimens that were supposedly frozen back by severe frost. As a rule, these sprout very reliably from the roots, but should be cut back thoroughly beforehand.
How to save frozen lilac?
To save frozen lilacs, you should check the branches and shoots for signs of life, remove dried dead wood, cut sickly or thin shoots, cut back he althy shoots, work compost and horn shavings into the root disc and wait patiently for new growth.
How can hardy lilacs actually freeze?
The various Syringa vulgaris varieties are extremely hardy and do not require any special winter protection measures - unless they are in a pot. So how can these plants freeze to death in winter? In fact, it is not the frost that is the problem, but the combination of very sunny days and severe night frosts, which occur especially in spring. The warm, bright days signal the beginning of spring for the plant so that it starts producing juice. On a frosty night, this behavior becomes his downfall and he freezes back. To prevent this, you should protect the lilac with a fleece or similar during severe late frosts in spring.
Check shoots and branches for signs of life - this is how it works
Before pruning, however, first check which shoots and branches still have life in them. For this test, all you need is your thumbnail or, for thicker branches, a small, sharp knife. If you lightly scratch the bark of the shoot or branch, you can see what it looks like underneath: If the inside of the wood is green, it is still alive and can remain on the bush. If, on the other hand, it is also dried out on the inside, the scissors have to be used.
What you can do to save frozen lilacs
You can save a frozen lilac in this way:
- Check the branches and shoots for life using a thumbnail test.
- Cut out all dry, frozen dead wood.
- Shoots that appear sickly or very thin.
- Shrink all other shoots and branches to encourage the shrub to sprout again.
- Work a scoop of compost (€12.00 on Amazon) and a generous handful of horn shavings into the root disk.
- Be patient.
By the way, the rescue measures described should not be carried out in the middle of the cold winter, but on a frost-free, dry (never cut lilacs on a rainy day!) day in spring.
Tip
The roots of a potted lilac must not freeze, which is why the planter should be protected against frosty temperatures - for example by wrapping a fleece around it.
