Old-fashion Lilacs

by Gail Larson
(Meckling, SD USA)

We planted old fashion lilacs about 10 years ago. They have gotten about 3 feet high and do not grow any more. They put on seed type growth each year after they bloom. Does this need to be pruned? This branch does not leaf out or grow the next season.

Doug says if those lilacs are 10 years old and only 3-feet tall, you have either a) growing them in really poor conditions, (here's how to grow them) or b) you don't have old-fashioned lilacs but some other plant.

Get them into the right conditions or figure out what they really are.