I have 9 lilac bushes in my back yard and am thinking of getting a few for my front yard as well.One of my greatest joys is cutting my lilacs and bringing them inside to enjoy the wonderful fragrance.
Lilac flowers should be cut and enjoyed but many people are afraid that they might ruin their bushes if they start hacking away at them.
There is a method to cut your lilacs that will be best for the bush and will give you fabulous cut flowers for your home or to give away.
Most lilac bushes are top heavy with blooms because they have not been cut enough. Lilacs need the blooms to be removed before they go to seed later in the summer. Many people let the lilacs bloom and as soon as they start to wilt remove the blossoms.
Removing blooms to bring inside is actually healthy for you lilac bush.
I cut my blooms from very high up on my bush as it is so tall and I want to force more blooms lower on the bush for next year.
Many of the branches that I cut are very thick. This will not damage the bush. Lilacs tend to grow on new growth so removing thick old branches is perfectly OK.
Have your vase prepared with cool water for your lilacs. You will need a vase that has a very heavy base as the blooms are heavy and will tip over a light vase.
I use a flower frog on the bottom of my arrangements. These you can find at antique stores and are made from either glass of metal.
You need to smash the bottoms of the lilac stems so they will draw water up them. Use a hammer and give the stem a whack so that it splits.
Lilacs are not long lasting blooms, they tend to stay for about 4 or 5 days but the scent is so heavenly that their brief time in our homes is much appreciated.
Though I find the scent a little too overpowering to have in my bedroom I love to have them in my bathroom.
Don't be afraid to cut your lilacs, your bush will be better for it if you do.
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Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2012
Morestylethancash
Morestylethancash
Thank you so much for these tips! I now know that I'd better get out in the garden tomorrow and trim those faded blooms from the top of my bushes! :)
xoxo laurie
These are great tips! I love love love lilacs and wish I had some growing in my yard right now!! My mom has tons in her yard...I wish they would stay fresh longer after you cut them but they are the most fragrant flower ever! Come link up to Centerpiece Wednesay and share your tips with us.
Karin
I never knew about mashing the bottoms of the lilacs. I love your pictures so much. I really enjoyed this inspirational post. I would love it if you would share this post at our WIW linky party? Hope to see you there!
Paula
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