-      Usually a lack of sunlight can be an initial problem. A minimum of six hours of sun is needed per day.
Too much nitrogen (the first number in a fertilizer) can be a problem. Often lilacs are planted in the lawn and fertilizers used to green up lawns are too high in nitrogen. This causes beautiful green foliage but little bloom. Avoid going around the plant and use suggested fertilizer. Make sure there are no large overhanging trees that are casting shade on the lilac. Lilacs need good sunlight in June to August to set proper buds.

No bloom after first year. Lilacs are sometimes purchased as bareroot or ball and burlapped plants. These will flower the same year but not reflower for 3-5 years. The flowers were made from the previous year and it is normal that the plant will have to make new roots and get settled in for a few years before it reflowers. These are lilacs that have passed at least one year in the container it is in. They will have a complete root system and will reflower at an earlier age.

Improper pruning time often is another problem. Some lilac lovers prune their plants at the wrong time. They should be pruned after flowers are faded within 2 weeks. Any other pruning will result in the cutting of flower buds.

Q: Can lilacs rebloom in the fall?
A:  Yes it is possible for lilacs to rebloom if the fall has a cooling dry period followed by a rainy warming, The lilacs think that spring has arrived. The nice part is to see blooms in fall but unfortunately this will cut down on spring blooms as lilacs bloom on   old wood except for some newer dwarves on the market.

Q: Is there such a thing as areblooming lilac?
A: There are some cultivars that have the capcity to rebloom.