In preparation for lilac season and Rochester’s Lilac Festival, I include this post on caring for cut lilacs, since the method is very different from caring for many other types of flowers. I consulted Doc Lilac on how to properly care for lilacs once they’ve been cut so they’ll last longer.
Here is his recommendation:
- Be sure you use sharp pruning scissors.
- Cut lilacs early in the morning or late in the day because mid-day heat will wilt them.
- As soon as you’ve cut them, immediately plunge the stems into lukewarm water that has flower preservative in it.
- Take off all foliage. If you leave the foliage on, the nutrients from the water will go to the leaves rather than the buds.
- If you want foliage, cut separate stems of leaves and place those in the water.
- If you move your flowers to another vase, recut the stems under water, if possible, and immediately move them to the vase filled with lukewarm water that has floral preservative in it. The reason for cutting the stems under water is so that air bubbles don’t get into the stems, preventing them from getting the nutrients.
Enjoy your beautiful bouquet of fresh cut lilacs!
Please note: If you are attending Rochester’s Lilac Festival, it is prohibited to take clippings from the plants in Highland Park.
May 10, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Good information thank you! I love my lilacs have several bushes, some transplanted from the house I grew up in… so I’ve had them 53 yrs! I will try my hand at cutting them again with your pointers, I’ve not had the best of luck keeping them alive in the past.
May 10, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Good luck! Hopefully these tips will lengthen how long they stay alive. My lilacs are just coming into bloom now, so I’m going to try Doc Lilacs suggestions too.
May 13, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Thank you for posting the information – and fun to find it from someone local! I’m going to be trying out some lilac recipes this week and wanted to be sure of the best way to cut the flowers.
(Great shot at the top of the page of the RYC, btw! Sunshine, lilacs, boats in the water…spring is here!)
May 13, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Hi Dawn Nicole –
Thanks for sharing your comment! If you find some good recipes, I wonder if you would share them, or their source, with my readers?
Again, thanks for posting!
Carol
April 16, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Is there a way to cut lilacs somewhat still in bud stage before they have completely emerged and hold them to bloom later? I have done this with peonies and didn’t know if it was possible w/ lilacs.
April 16, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Hi Nancy –
I am not an expert on lilacs so I would be reluctant to give advice, but if you call Doc Lilac himself and said I sent you, I’m sure he’d be happy to tell you whether this is possible. His phone number is (585) 223-4010. You can also send him an email via this page (http://www.lilachillnursery.com/contact) and I’m sure he’ll get back to you.
Best of luck!
Carol