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Anyone who is native to this area has fond memories of a lilac shrub nearby. In fact, if you are long of tooth as I am, you still remember lilacs on old farmsteads long after the buildings were gone. As I write this article the sweet fragrance of lilacs fill the air. The Chisago County Master Gardeners still are asked about when to prune lilacs. While waiting for spring this year I was able to do some cleaning inside the bushes before the leaves appeared. I was able to cut out what I think was Virginia Creeper and I was able to tear them out by the root. There also were dead branches that I was able to remove.

It's important to cut them out at ground level so there is no dead wood for borers to hide. Lilacs benefit from renewal pruning. On established plants, remove one-third of the oldest growth each year after the bloom to make way for vigorous new growth and to prevent the plants from becoming leggy and overgrown.

Deadhead lilacs as much as possible to keep the plants neat. Remove the flower clusters as soon as they are spent to give the plant plenty of time to produce next season's flowers.

If you are planning to plant lilacs, you need to know something about them. They grow best in full sun and the soil should be fertile and well drained. They tolerate open, windy locations and good air circulation helps keep powdery mildew at bay.

Earlier I wrote that years ago every farmstead had lilac bushes. While they were fragrant they only came in different shades of red. The nursery industry has devoted millions of dollars to the development of new varieties with many different colors, sizes, and shapes. A nursery or garden center should be able to help you find exactly what you want.

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