Robust, resilient, long-lasting, fast-growing and, on top of that, a keen spring bloomer: Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is at home in many gardens for these and other reasons. Sometimes, however, the shrub doesn't really want to bloom, which is often due to problems with the flower buds that occurred the previous year. You can find out what these are and what you specifically need to pay attention to when it comes to lilac buds in the following article.
How to protect lilac buds for abundant flowering?
To protect the lilac buds for successful flowering, you should prune after flowering, counteract late frosts with garden fleece and combat fungal infestation, for example with field horsetail decoction.
Be careful when pruning: do not cut away any buds
One of the most common reasons for lilacs not blooming is pruning at the wrong time: Syringa forms the buds for next year's flowers on the new shoot ends immediately after this year's branches have withered. If you cut the bush too late and possibly cut off the new, bud-bearing shoots, then the flowers will fail next year. To prevent this, there are three options:
- You clean out faded flowers regularly instead of cutting the lilacs back all at once.
- You cut the lilac immediately after it has faded.
- You leave all bud-bearing new shoots standing and only cut the old wood.
After pruning, fertilizing with compost and horn shavings (€32.00 on Amazon) is also good for the lilac. However, do not overdo it, as over-fertilization can prevent bud formation.
Protect buds from late frosts
Another reason for the lack of flowering is a frost that occurs very late in the spring, which freezes the flower buds that have already opened. To prevent this, when the weather is warm enough, you should cover the emerging buds with a garden fleece from around March to protect them from frost damage. This protection is particularly important during night frosts. If it warms up again during the day, remove the fleece.
Fungal infestation does not stop at the buds
Lilac is quite sensitive to fungal infestation, which is particularly noticeable on the leaves, but also on the shoots, branches and of course the flower buds. If a previously he althy tree or bush suddenly begins to wilt, i.e. H. gets dry shoots and its leaf and flower buds do not break, then verticillium fungi are often behind it. Be sure to cut the lilac deep into the he althy wood and treat it either with fungicides from the garden supply store or organically with a home-made decoction of field horsetail.
Tip
When cutting back new shoots, always make sure to only shorten them to just above existing buds.
