Exactly how to deadhead reblooming lilac?

10 years ago

I did some internet searches but I'm still a bit confused about exactly where to clip (deadhead) a spent bloom on my Josee lilac bush.

It does rebloom, but if deadheading will help it bloom even more, I'd like to do that.

But do you clip only just below the actual flower bloom, or do you clip below that, on the stem?

Since this reblooms in the same year, I'd think you'd need to leave most of the stem... but I don't know.

The one I have bloomed in the spring, and then again just a week or so ago, sporadically.

I have a picture to attach of an almost-gone bloom, with my index finger below where I THINK I should clip!

Here is a link that might be useful: Josee reblooming lilac

Comments (2)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
if it goes to seed.. its job is done.. it wont try to make more seed.. flowers being stage one to making seed ....

ergo.. ipso.. presto... cut off the seed... no more.. no less ...

just like any other plant... that is why you cant find specific info ....

ken

BTW: if seed is well developed.. it might be too late to get it to rebloom.. but do do the job.. so that you can learn what needs to be cut off... so you can do it a bit sooner next season..

2BTW: i never deadhead mine.. and they rebloom anyway.. but its not much of a show ....
bellowbelle
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, Ken. Yeah, it varies greatly, how many blooms there are.

We've had so many bugs & mosquitoes this year (I'm in a woodsy spot) that I haven't been able to stand still in one place outdoors for very long! So, not apt to trim the lilacs much. I'll probably just let it do whatever it wants.
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