Hello - we moved in to our new house in July, and have a beautiful California Lilac in the backyard. It is healthy and bushy, but produced no flowers. What do I need to do to ensure it flowers next year, and how / when should I prune and fertilize? Thanks so much for your response! Jennifer
Lack of flowers abnormal, suggesting somehow not in the best way afterall. Unless growth that would otherwise flower later has been getting pruned away should have been flowering well from a small size. You can shear these back to control size right after bloom but don't cut into old, bare, hard stems as these may not come back vigorously. If appearing vigorous, with good green color fertilizer not indicated. Main issues seen here leafhoppers, which discolor the foliage - and occasional hard winters, which may discolor the entire plant - sometimes permanently! Wild species also said to be quite touchy about soil drainage, although most seen in local gardens horticultural selections that are more tolerant (to varying degrees).
