Littleleaf lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla): when and how to prune

Littleleaf lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla): when to prune it?

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Straight after the first flowering, in June. Otherwise it needs hardly any pruning.

What else to prune in those months? June

Littleleaf lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla): how to prune it?

1. Cut off the faded panicles just above the first pair of leaves or young shoots.
2. Remove dead, weak and crossing stems right at the base.
3. Every few years, take a few of the oldest stems to the ground to keep the shrub young.
4. Keep the shape with a light trim; it stays compact by nature.

How much to cut, and how often?

• One pruning period a year: June.
• Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.

What does it mean for wildlife?

• Pruning in June can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
• Littleleaf lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla) flowers in May–June and September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
• If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
• Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.

Common mistakes

• Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
• Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Nearby: related pruning guides

• Lilac
• Chinese lilac (Syringa × chinensis)
• Hungarian lilac
• Meyer lilac
• Persian lilac
• Preston lilac (Syringa × prestoniae)

Plant profile: Littleleaf lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla) · Pruning calendar and basic rules