[katiem]

i have a lilac bush in the front garden where i dont really get to enjoy it. it is about 10 years old and about 8 foot high. can i take cuttings, and how and when would i do this. i also have a butterfly bush about 6 foot high, and would like to take cuttings from this.

[Belfast]

"Answer
Lilacs only root readily for about two weeks out of the year! Two weeks after the blooms fade, take 6-8" cuttings of the new growth, remove the lowest pair of leaves, dip cut ends in rooting hormone and stick in moist Vermiculite. Put the container in a large plastic bag, close it with a twist-tie and put in a shady location. You should have roots in 6-8 weeks, at which time open the plastic bag for an hour the first day and an hour longer each day for a week or so. Then pot up the cutting in a well-draining growing mix and fertilizer lightly. Keep the plant out of direct sun. You should be able to plant it out in September."
rest of the detail in the link below
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Wildflowers-743/cutting-Lilac-Bush-prune.htm

"A: Lilac cuttings easily root if taken in mid-June. The cuttings should be 8 to 10 inches long. Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone and then stick them in a sand medium under mist. Lilacs characteristically develop a nice mass of roots."
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/shrub/lilac.htm

[katiem]

thanks, will try that. didnt even know what it was until i joined this site. who said ignorance was bliss?

[michael brenock]

hard to grow from cuttings, best time is around flowering time or shortly after, try layering next autumn /winter and roots should be formed by this time next year.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[lyn]

Is it possible to cut back lilac bush I have a standard minature flower lilac but it needs to be cut back hard badly

[Garlicbreath]

The time to cut back lilac is immediately after flowering as it flowers on last years growth. So the new flower buds will form on the growth it puts on during the summer. So, wait until the flowers have gone over then cut back as hard as you like. It will put on loads of new growth and you should have flowers next spring again.

[lyn]

Thanks so much for the info on my lilac bush.