I've grown this lilac - really like it, has long, white fragrant blooms. I think mine started blooming when it was 3 or 4 feet high.

These plants grow slow, but live long and have a large ultimate size. If you want to keep it at 8 feet, you can prune it right after it blooms. If you prune it at the wrong time you will reduce the number of blooms.

I wouldn't try to prune it into a tree form, its natural tendency is to grow as a shrub, with a number of stems coming from the base of the plant.

I suppose if they grow slowly, keeping it at 8-9 feet wouldn't be so hard. The one I'm buying is 3 feet high, so I guess I shouldn't have to wait too long for it to bloom.
Thanx, chrsvic!

Buy the bush in bloom. Even if it is only one flower head, the bush will keep producing each year after, when left alone. I purchased a lilac with a tag, waited YEARS for it to bloom, only to find it was mistagged. Not a red wine color, but plain lilac old-fashioned type. I was SO ANGRY for wasting all that time waiting for flowers.

Never again will I purchase a lilac that is not flowering. This makes sure plant is old enough to bloom, but is also the correct color I want. I got a Sensation, the white edged purple, blooming on a one foot high twig. The flower bent the twig half over each season, but bloomed faithfully each spring after.

My Beauty of Moscow seems very nice. Blooms well, on the 4ft sticks. Has a good smell, with nice flowers. It has grown about a foot since purchase 2 years ago. I like the multi-stem look, haven't tried a tree form.

I did braid some lilac stems, so they will grow together over time. This is an old-fashioned practice for interesting textured, heavy stems. It does look tree-like when they age, with a full crown. I will have to see how they do over time. I had seen old braided ones, wanted to give it a try. Braided some Rose of Sharon stems too. Braiding might be an idea for your tree-look lilac!! Will take a while to see good results.

my beauty of Moscow is now four years old and has never bloomed. really bummed. It's tall has new branches coming up from the bottom but no flowers. I have 2 other lilac trees in the backyard that bloom like crazy. all 3 get the same amount of sun and same soil. I'm very disappointed! I just don't get it. does anyone ever read these comments or offer any suggestions?

"does anyone ever read these comments or offer any suggestions?"

Sure they do! But you are going to get more responses if you start your own thread rather than tacking your question on to one that is 13 years old!!

Lilacs fail to bloom or delay blooming for the following reasons (in approx. order of importance):

• improper pruning
• unnecessary fertilization
• inadequate sun exposure
• late spring frosts
• reluctance of that cultivar/need to achieve a certain age

there are also different types of Ls that may react differently to local conditions.. so perhaps you are comparing apples to oranges with your prolific ones ...

plus everything gal said.. including starting your own post next time ... and perhaps not insulting those of us who usually answer posts, in advance ..

include big city location.. and a couple pix of the non performers ...

ken