Did i trim my california lilac at the wrong time?

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by noonataq, Apr 21, 2010.

  1. noonataq

    noonataq Member

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    I trimmed an overgrown California Lilac hedge today - April 21, 2010. It was a fairly warm day on central Vancouver Island - over 60 degrees fahrenheit and sunny but had been quite rainy over the last week. The hedge was about 7 feet high by 4 feet wide by 20 feet long. I used a gas powered trimmer and squared up the sides, top, and edges. The hedge is now 6 1/2 feet high by 3 feet wide by 20 feet long.

    My question is this: Will the hedge suffer any damage by being cut back at this time of year?
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    No. But if it has not flowered yet, you've cut the bloom off for this year. Otherwise, the main thing is to stay out of old, hard, bare wood - that is not likely to sprout well.
     
  3. noonataq

    noonataq Member

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    Thanks for the response. The california lilac hadn't bloomed yet. I didn't cut into the old wood - the perimeters were still covered in the evergreen leaves.
     

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