Grow lilac bushes in full sun, meaning at least.

I planted it with extra help for the roots and now all the leaves are dead.

Jul 08, The general shrub pruning rule is to cut no more than a third of the stems each year. 2  That will help the plant remain constantly vital, with new stems developing as old stems bloom. Your goal is to have a lilac bush that has somewhere between eight to 12 stems of various ages, all of them between 1 to 2 inches in diameter.

Apr 02, How to Prune Lilac Bushes.

When pruning lilacs, cutting back the tops of overgrown stems is oftentimes not enough. It is generally better to cut the entire stem.

This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran.

Trimming lilacs is best accomplished using clippers. Remove spent blooms all the way to the stems to prevent seeding and encourage more blooms later on. Cut back about a third of the branches. Jul 12, Lilac bushes can get tall and leggy and knowing how to prune them will give you years of beautiful, fragrant flowers on manageable plants.

Three different wa. Apr 18, Cut back the wood over three years if lilac bushes are overgrown. If the bush is large or overgrown, you can cut a third of the canes each year for three years to bring it back under control. You will still have flowers every year%(7). Dec 10, Dip, spray or wipe the blades of the pruning shears or loppers using rubbing alcohol or a solution of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water. Clean them.