Basically, the lilac (bot. Syringa - not to be confused with the buddleia) is an indestructible plant that often copes well with the most adverse conditions and even diligently overgrows the garden with its root shoots. But even for this shrub there are hardships that prevent it from sprouting again in spring. You can find out what these are and what you can do about them in the article below.
Why doesn't my lilac sprout in spring?
If the lilac does not sprout in spring, possible causes could be voles, a hard winter with severe frost or waterlogging in heavy soil. Depending on the situation, you should take measures to save the bush or combat the vole infestation.
If the lilac doesn't sprout - the most common causes
If your lilac needs a little longer in spring, then watch it first. Sometimes the shrub just needs a little longer, for example if you have just cut it back heavily or even planted it on the tree. In many cases, however, there are problems in the root area behind the lack of shoots.
Voles
These small rodents represent a massive problem in many gardens because they like to eat plant roots and thus cause numerous garden plants to die. An infestation is not initially noticeable from the outside; it is only when the lilac dies or no longer sprouts in spring that the damage can be recognized by examining the roots. In this case, there is nothing you can do for the lilac except dig it up completely and specifically combat the vole infestation. You can plant young lilacs with a root barrier and kill two birds with one stone.
Hard winter with severe frost
Although the common lilac is hardy and can easily get through the cold season, in very harsh and frosty winters with extremely low temperatures, even this robust shrub can freeze to death. It becomes particularly problematic when extreme, dry frost (i.e. without a protective snow cover) combines with bright sunshine. In this constellation, frost damage is inevitable. Check the branches and twigs of the lilac to see whether they are still green under the bark. Cut the bush down to just above the ground and provide it with mature compost.
Heavy soil / waterlogging
Waterlogging is particularly common in heavy, clayey soil, particularly after rainy summers ora cold, wet winter. Lilacs cannot tolerate wet feet, and putrefactive bacteria and fungi settle on the roots that are constantly in water - with the result that the shrub dies. If an affected lilac no longer sprouts for this reason, it can no longer be saved.
Tip
The first signs of lilac disease are leaf discoloration, which indicates a fungal or bacterial infection.
