A dying lilac bush may appear weak or yield only a few spring blooms. This is usually caused by too much growth and not enough nutrients for the plants. This can be fixed by heavy pruning and making sure the soil has all the nutrients it needs. At times, however, the cause of death might be a bigger issue, involving disease or pest infestation. This, too, may be resolved with early detection.
When you see that the bush looks sick in early spring, after the growing season starts, rake away any dead leaves and branches, along with any mulch that is around the base.
Test the soil to see if it is too acidic, or lacking in calcium. The pH scale measures whether soil is more alkaline or acidic; a score of less than 7. 0 on the pH scale is acidic, while anything higher than 7. 0 is alkaline. Lilac bushes don’t do well in soil that is too acidic, so if your soil test comes back acidic, you need to raise the pH level. Add 5 lbs. of ground limestone per 100 square feet of soil to raise the pH level by 1. 0 point. To lower the pH level, add pine needles, shredded leaves, sulfur, sawdust or peat moss. Generally, you want the pH level to be around 7. There should be no more than a tenth of a point difference between 0 and lilac bush soil.
Inspect the bush for pests and diseases. Voles and mice are the worst animals for lilac bushes. In the winter, they hide under mulch and chew on the bark and stems at the base. Lilac bushes are also susceptible to a few diseases, powdery mildew being the most common. When it’s humid and hot outside, this happens. A general-purpose fungicide should be used right away and then twice or three times a week. Cases with major outbreaks will require elimination of all infected branches.
Trim unhealthy branches after carefully selecting the five strongest branches and loosely stringing them at the base. Using garden shears, cut all other branches about 1 inch from the ground. Be careful not pull or tear away at any of healthy limbs. Remove string from remaining bushes.
Fertilize the lilac bush. Use a fertilizer with a 5-10-5 nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium ratio on older plants that are not blooming. You may also use a 0-15-0 or 0-45-0 fertilizer. To fertilize, dig a few holes in the ground next to each lilac plant and add 1 cup of fertilizer to each one. Do this once in the spring and once in the fall. Use 2 cups if the plant is taller than 5 feet. Avoid overfertilization, as this, too, can cause death of the plant.
Ensure the plant has proper drainage. Lilacs should not be overwatered, as too much water can drown the plant. It is also important that the bush not be underwatered, as it will not thrive in dry soil. Pay attention to the soil and lilac bush leaves to determine whether more water is needed. If the leaves are wilted or folding, watering is required. Or, scrape the top edge of the soil to check for dampness. If it is dry, you can water the bush. Add enough water for the soil to soak up without puddling.
Watch for new buds on the branches the following spring. The plant may need to be fertilized again at this point, but if new buds are growing and the plant looks healthy, it doesn’t need any more fertilizer.
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Lilac bushes are a staple in many gardens, prized for their beautiful blooms and lovely fragrance in spring. However, over time lilac bushes can start to decline, blooming less and becoming scraggly or overgrown. Don’t give up on your lilac bush just yet! With some care and attention, it is often possible to revive distressed lilacs and restore their former glory.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover all the key steps you need to take to resuscitate a struggling lilac bush Follow these tips and you can enjoy a rejuvenated, flourishing lilac for years to come
Assess the Current State of Your Lilac
The first step is to take a close look at your lilac bush and identify any issues. Here are some common problems to look out for:
- Lack of blooms or few, sparse blooms
- Smaller blooms than previous years
- Dead or withered blooms persisting on the bush
- Leggy, overgrown appearance with bare lower branches
- Signs of disease like powdery mildew
- Dead, damaged, or crossing branches
Make note of any problems you spot, This will help you diagnose what is ailing your lilac and tailor your revival efforts accordingly
Prune Your Lilac Properly
Pruning is one of the key ways to rejuvenate an unhealthy lilac bush. But when and how you prune makes all the difference. Here are some pruning tips:
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Timing: The best time to prune a lilac is right after it finishes flowering in spring. Pruning in fall or winter can damage cold-sensitive new growth.
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Technique: Remove all dead or damaged branches first. Then thin inner branches to open up air flow and light. Cut back older, thicker stems to just above a healthy bud or side shoot to encourage bushy new growth.
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Amount: Don’t prune off more than 1/3 of the bush per year to avoid shock. Do major renovations over 2-3 years.
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Annual maintenance: Lightly prune out old flower clusters and weak new growth after annual blooming.
Proper pruning stimulates new growth and flowering while removing problem areas. For severely overgrown lilacs, gradually restoring the bush shape over a few seasons is best.
Provide Proper Care for Your Lilac
Neglect is one of the most common reasons lilac bushes start to decline. Get your lilac thriving again by providing consistent care:
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Water: Give lilacs at least 1 inch of water per week, more in hot weather. Soak the soil deeply.
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Fertilize: Use a balanced fertilizer for acid-loving plants in early spring and after flowering.
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Sunlight: Lilacs need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. More sun encourages more blooms.
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Air circulation: Thin inner branches and clear space around the plant for air to circulate.
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Mulch: Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
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Soil: Test the pH and amend if needed. Lilacs prefer slightly acidic soil around 6.5-7 pH.
With a little TLC, you can get your lilac bush thriving again in no time. Be sure to continue proper care year-round.
Deal With Any Diseases or Pests
Sickly lilac bushes may be suffering from a disease or infestation. Here are some common lilac problems and solutions:
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Powdery mildew: This fungal disease coats leaves in white powdery spots. Improving air circulation helps. Severe cases can be treated with neem oil or a fungicide.
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Bacterial blight: Look for black spots on leaves. Prune out affected branches. Apply copper-based fungicide as a preventative.
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Borers: These insects tunnel into the bark. Keep the plant healthy to prevent infestation. Squirt insecticidal soap into holes.
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Scale insects: Identify these tiny sucking insects by the bumps on bark and stems. Wipe off with alcohol or treat with horticultural oil.
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Root weevils: Their larvae chew roots and cause leaf wilt. Apply beneficial nematodes.
Promptly treating any diseases or pests will help get your lilac bush back in top shape. Be vigilant for any recurring issues.
Consider Rejuvenating Drastic Measures
For extremely overgrown, old, or dying lilac bushes, you may need to take more aggressive revival measures:
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Coppicing: Cut the entire bush back to 6-12 inches above ground in early spring. This will trigger abundant new growth, though you will lose any blooms that season.
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Layering: Bend low branches down and cover partway with soil. New roots will sprout, allowing you to sever and transplant the new plant.
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Division: Dig up the bush and separate healthy shoots with roots attached to plant individually.
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Stump sprouts: Cut the bush completely down to a stump. New shoots will emerge that can be transplanted once established.
These extreme methods essentially regenerate your lilac bush for a fresh start. Be prepared to sacrifice flowers in the short term for full renewal.
Be Patient During the Revival Process
Keep in mind that resuscitating an ailing lilac bush takes time and several seasons of care. Don’t expect overnight miracles! It can take a full year or more for your efforts to yield dramatic improvements in blooms and appearance. But with consistent, diligent care, you can nurse your lilac back to its former glory. Just don’t give up too soon!
Here are some signs that indicate your revival efforts are succeeding:
- Healthy new growth appearing after pruning
- Bush filling out and appearing less scraggly
- More blooms, even if initial ones are smaller
- Fading of diseases as the plant gains vigor
- Generally improved appearance over time
Stay positive and be patient as your lilac bush recovers. Keep up your care regimen and before long it should transition from distress to thriving beauty once again.
Reviving Lilacs – The Key Takeaways
Bringing an unhealthy lilac bush back to life is very possible with proper care. Here are the key revival tips:
- Assess the lilac’s current state and problems
- Prune correctly to stimulate new growth
- Provide consistent care – water, fertilize, sunlight, etc
- Treat any diseases or pest infestations
- Consider rejuvenating drastic measures for very distressed plants
- Be diligent with care and patient over multiple seasons
With attention to these reviving steps, you’ll be rewarded with a rejuvenated, flourishing lilac bush gracing your garden again. The effort is well worth it to save a beloved lilac plant.
So inspect your lackluster lilac, diagnose the issues, and get that beauty on the road to recovery. Don’t let a distressed lilac be relegated to the compost heap just yet – give it another chance to thrive! With this comprehensive guide, you have all the information you need to successfully nurse your lilac bush back to robust health.
How to Save a Dying Lilac Bush
How do you revive a lilac bush?
Work with your plant just after the bloom period when the flowers are spent and drying to revive a lilac bush. Rake away any mulch, dead limbs or dropped leaves from the base of the lilac to clear the surface down to the grass or soil layer. Look over the plant and select three to five of the strongest branches on the lilac.
Can a dying lilac bush be saved?
Pruning and fertilization may save dying lilacs. A dying lilac bush may appear weak or yield only a few spring blooms. This is commonly caused by overgrowth and poor plant nutrition, which may be remedied with heavy pruning and steps to ensure the soil contains vital nutrients.
How do you care for a lilac bush?
Pay attention to the soil and lilac bush leaves to determine whether more water is needed. If the leaves are wilted or folding, watering is required. Or, scrape the top edge of the soil to check for dampness. If it is dry, you can water the bush. Add enough water for the soil to soak up without puddling.
How do you fertilize a lilac bush?
Fertilize the lilac bush. Use a fertilizer with a 5-10-5 nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium ratio on older plants that are not blooming. You may also use a 0-15-0 or 0-45-0 fertilizer. Fertilize once in the spring and once in the fall by digging a few holes in the soil next to each lilac plant and adding 1 cup of fertilizer to each hole.
