Where are you? The lilacs around here (NJ) were spectacular, making up for two dreadful years in a row (due to dreadful winters).

i had almost nothing last spring.. after a z4 winter in my z5 ...

this year they went bonkers ...

you have to tell us where you are.. in most any post ... and in this case.. how bad was winter ...

on Ls the buds are sitting there.. very tiny.. in late fall ... anything can happen to them ... including someone coming along and shearing the bush too late in the year and removing them ... shall we presume that did not happen???

Ls are near impossible to kill.. keep them for another year or two.. before you decide on termination ...

ken

I'm in zone 6b - northern Westchester, NY, where we had the second record breaking winter in a row (both temperature and snowfall). I just returned from the Bronx Botanical Garden and Untermeyer Garden in Yonkers (if you haven't been there yet - you must!) and inspected their lilacs. Much better than those around here, but the blossoms seemed on the small side. What I was reminded of, however, was the need to prune to open up the inside so that the blooms get sun from all sides. Any other tips for good horticultural practice of lilacs? Thanks.

We are in zone 6B Asheville NC, but our past two winters have been 5. The Lilacs bud too early with the warm temps and then we get clobbered with 18 degrees. Covering with sheets when that cold does nothing. Quite depressing....they were loaded with buds.

The age of the lilac matters too; at least in my yard, they have taken several years to really get going bloom-wise.