My Lousy Lilacs

I have always looked forward to spring and the blooming of my lilacs. But this year, the blossoms are few and far between.

Plus, there’s this scaly gray stuff on some of the branches.

What went wrong?

From a little bit of online research, apparently I’m what’s wrong. I have always been reluctant to trim these bushes, and that was a mistake. 

Lilacs are fairly finicky (one blog called them the "Drama Queen" of the garden). They need a lot of air circulation, particularly on their lower branches. By not trimming, I’ve inhibited that circulation, which has reduced the blossoms. And that scaly stuff? It might be a form of lilac mold that’s probably the result of a lack of circulation, plus more moisture accumulating due to a very wet spring. The recommendation is that I wipe it off.

I’ll do that and I’ll do the trimming. There is a tight window for trimming lilacs, in case you’re wondering. It’s right after bloom but before July 4^th.

 

Lucky for me, a few other purple things are blooming in the garden, including the alliums. I’ll enjoy that show for now and, with fingers crossed of course, look forward to next year.

Comments

[Mary G. M.]

Don't fret so much about the lilacs. I have several in my yard for many years. As long as they have sun, and get some water occasionally they will bounce back next year. I have only trimmed mine a couple of times over the last 25 years. It has really grown this spring, due to lots of rain we received. (a bit more than usual.) The mold is lichen which grows on lots of stuff. Check with a local nursery to see what they have to treat it. If it is only in a small area, I wouldn't bother. But if it is on all the branches, then put something on it. MY experience has been that they are very hardy. I live in zone 6a. What zone are you in?
Mary G.M.

[Diane]

Wow that does sound like a bit of a Drama Queen they can't grow where I am but they do grow in the high Desert, my sister has them in her home in Oregon.