‘Prairie petite lilac’

[Eckhoffw]

So I have this prairie petite lilac or ‘syringa vulgaris’.
Since I had a question for y’all, I figured I would start this thread to document it, and hopefully get some advice.
Purchased on sale from Ace hardware fall of 2021.
Then.
after a little pruning and the pot cut back.
Today I pulled it out of the garage cold frame.
The buds are green and swelling.
My immediate question is whether or not I can/should do some structural pruning now, or wait.
The cold frame is set to 35* F.
Thanks!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

I have a nice little guy sorta like this…. and a much bigger one. Personally I’m planning and waiting to cut,

btw My lilacs do great in the spring and early summer, but seem to hate midsummer and beyond, limping along, only to burst forth in springtime the next year. Shade, sun, it doesn’t seem to matter. This year I’m gonna try to water them even more and see if that will help.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[Eckhoffw]

I have a nice little guy sorta like this…. and a much bigger one. Personally I’m planning and waiting to cut,

btw My lilacs do great in the spring and early summer, but seem to hate midsummer and beyond, limping along, only to burst forth in springtime the next year. Shade, sun, it doesn’t seem to matter. This year I’m gonna try to water them even more and see if that will help.

cheers
DSD sends

Thank you. I’ll wait a bit to prune.

I wonder why they stall out in the summer.
The soil in the nursery can may be good for the species then. Very loamy and peaty, with some sand.
I want to work the roots this spring so I’m also wondering about the soil mix.
Anyways, just rambling

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Mine are in APL right now, both will be repotted after the upcoming freezing nights are over.

I checked and they like good drainage, humus rich soil and mulch. I think I’ll add some bark and biochar along with getting some form of top cover little plant guys too. Since I fertilize with ocmocote plus and fish emulsion/CalMag/Humic adid complex, that ought to work to boost these guys.

Fingers crossed!

cheers
DSD sends

 

[Eckhoffw]

I have a nice little guy sorta like this…. and a much bigger one. Personally I’m planning and waiting to cut,

btw My lilacs do great in the spring and early summer, but seem to hate midsummer and beyond, limping along, only to burst forth in springtime the next year. Shade, sun, it doesn’t seem to matter. This year I’m gonna try to water them even more and see if that will help.

cheers
DSD sends

If I may ask you one question, when you say wait to prune will you wait till after flowering?

 

[Eckhoffw]

If I may ask you one question, when you say wait to prune will you wait till after flowering?

Just wondering, because I’ve heard it can be advantageous to winter prune.
thanks!

 

[penumbra]

I would prune them now before that spring burst of growth. Lilac don't like heat so work it now.

 

[Eckhoffw]

I would prune them now before that spring burst of growth. Lilac don't like heat so work it now.

Thank you

 

[ShadyStump]

Could I butt in with a quick question if it's no bother?
How well do these backbud? There are several in my yard with trunks starting at 2 feet long and an inch thick. Whether left or potted they could use some help in the aesthetics department.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Lilacs can be like weeds! I’ve been trying to eradicate one in the back yard for ten…. yes you heard me….10 years!!!

Every time I dig up a new volunteer, another shows up. One bit of root left and these guys take off for the sky like there is no tomorrow!

Cheers
DSD sends!

 

[Carol 83]

Lilacs can be like weeds! I’ve been trying to eradicate one in the back yard for ten…. yes you heard me….10 years!!!

Every time I dig up a new volunteer, another shows up. One bit of root left and these guys take off for the sky like there is no tomorrow!

Cheers
DSD sends!

I have a Dwarf Korean Lilac in my landscaping that I bought in a 4 inch pot years ago. It's now probably 5 ft tall and wide.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

I have a Dwarf Korean Lilac in my landscaping that I bought in a 4 inch pot years ago. It's now probably 5 ft tall and wide.

One thing that works….

Get up early in the morning and sneak up on the little buggers with a baseball bat… then swing for the fences!

…so sorry for the rant…. but the term ‘Lilac’ is a hot button around here

cheers
DSD sends

 

[ShadyStump]

So I'll take that as a yes then.
Thank you.

 

[Carol 83]

One thing that works….

Get up early in the morning and sneak up on the little buggers with a baseball bat… then swing for the fences!

…so sorry for the rant…. but the term ‘Lilac’ is a hot button around here

cheers
DSD sends

I wasn't complaining, I love it!

 

[Eckhoffw]

And a cut back...
Some decisions made.
I’m thinking this as the front.
If you have any thoughts on further pruning, lay em on me!
Will likely repot in a month or so.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Good work! I’m thinking you are going for a clump bonsai? If so, I’d wire the back branch up and over to the right as seen in the photo. This will give you more depth. Lilacs have flexible, softer wood and can grow out into the wire fairly quickly, so please keep an eye on it if you choose to wire..

If not it’s sorta like a cartwheel issue aka nursery azalea.

Even the little and medium size lilacs can be styled gracefully. Here’s one we’ve had for years. The lower one is a dwarf, which Is being replaced this year with the new guy. The big Heat Dome event did it in last summer… didn’t like temps over 110 for some reason.



Happy Friday!
DSD sends

 

[Colorado]

Looking pretty good, wouldn’t go any further on pruning right now. Nice little lilac!

They smell so good…

 

[penumbra]

Looks good at this point. I don't know about re-potting in a month though. I don't like re-potting most temperate zoned plants while they are actively growing. Personally, I would re-pot now.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Looks good at this point. I don't know about re-potting in a month though. I don't like re-potting most temperate zoned plants while they are actively growing. Personally, I would re-pot now.

Gotcha! I would love to! Thanks

 

[Eckhoffw]

My first repot this year.
bad photo with shadows blocked out.
very excited to see this one grow out this year!