Sad looking lilac bushes

[shashafrash]

My husband transplanted some lilac bushes in our yard last spring. They are very sparse and straggly.

I want to keep them and help them flourish, what would you recommend? Hack them to about 2-3 feet tall?

Comments

[radiosilents]

My instinct would be to totally trim them down to the tallest of the shortest shoots at the bottom. Maybe you could even propagate what you cut off to make more trees! :) That's what I would try to do. However, I'm not really sure what the best timing is for doing something like that.

Pretty tulips! I love 'em too.

[liminalia]

Really old bushes do get sparse like that, but yes, if you prune them after flowering they should grow new shoots. Be careful to leave some leaves on.

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[ms_pea]

This has nothing to do with your post, but I wanted to tell you that I am in love with your pic. That commercial was hilarious.

[pinkpromises]

I would wait until after they are done blooming and then prune them.

Also, it takes 3yrs for flowers to grow on the new shoots. So....be patient?

[angeofleak]

I love tulips also!!