Rejuvenating an old lilac – This is what you need to pay attention to

Rejuvenating an old lilac – This is what you need to pay attention to
Rejuvenating an old lilac – This is what you need to pay attention to

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Anonim

With an older lilac, the leaves and flowers are less lush and the base is bare. A thorough pruning, which should be done at the end of May after flowering, can help.

lilac-rejuvenate
lilac-rejuvenate

How to rejuvenate an old lilac?

To rejuvenate an old lilac, carry out a radical pruning: cut all branches to a height of 60-80 cm and next year remove annoying shoots and those that grow inwards. Then care for the lilac with regular pruning to prevent senescence.

How to perform a rejuvenation pruning on an old lilac

For an over-aged lilac, only a radical pruning will help:

  • Cut off all branches 60 to 80 centimeters above the ground.
  • Numerous new shoots will form over the following summer.
  • Next year, remove any branches that grow inwards.
  • Also cut away any shoots that disturb the shape of the shrub.
  • Prune the lilac only slightly in the following years.
  • It is enough to remove the wilted flowers.
  • This gives the shrub enough time to recover.

Most likely your lilac will sprout more from the roots after this radical cut. The root runners can appear within a radius of several meters and should be removed immediately as they rob the mother plant of strength. To permanently remove the shoots, you must dig them up and pull them out right at their base. Cutting off the surface (for example by walking over it with a lawn mower) usually only results in more runners being formed.

How to prevent a lilac from senescence

If the lilac has successfully rejuvenated, you should prevent renewed senescence after a few years by regular pruning. By removing old branches, you stimulate the formation of new branches - which in turn has the pleasant side effect of making the lilac bloom even more magnificently. Annual pruning should be done as follows:

  • Remove spent flowers by cutting just below the flower and above an outward-facing eye.
  • Remove dead branches
  • as well as all branches and twigs that cross each other or grow inwards.
  • Place the secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon) as close to the base as possible.
  • If necessary, remove branches that disturb the shape of the shrub.
  • This is the case with branches that extend very far away.
  • Cut or saw these too over an outward-facing branch.
  • Remove the root shoots that sprout from the base of the bush.

Tip

Cuttings resulting from pruning can be used for propagation and refinement.