Lilacs are famously tough, low-maintenance plants that bring so much charm to a garden. For the most part, they are totally winter hardy and can handle the cold like champs. However, depending on your specific setup, you might need to take a few extra steps before the first frost hits. Here’s the lowdown on keeping your lilacs happy through the winter.
Lilacs are generally winter-ready
Even though lilacs originally hail from Asia and the Balkans, they’ve adapted beautifully to cooler climates. They can handle long stretches of freezing temperatures without breaking a sweat. Usually, the plant just goes dormant, pulling its energy down into the root system to wait out the cold. That said, there are two specific scenarios where winter frost can actually pose a threat.
First, let’s talk about container gardening. If you have a lilac in a pot, it’s much more vulnerable to the cold because the roots don’t have that thick layer of earth to insulate them. To keep them cozy, wrap the pot in burlap or garden fleece and cover the top of the soil. This creates a protective barrier against the deep freeze.
The second exception is young plants. If you’ve just put a new lilac in the ground, its roots haven’t fully established themselves yet. Plus, those tender young shoots are much more susceptible to frostbite. Since there isn’t much “old wood” to fall back on if the plant gets damaged, you’ll want to be proactive. Covering the base of the plant with some evergreen brush or mulch can make a huge difference.
What to do if your lilac gets frostbite
If spring rolls around and you notice unusually dark, shriveled spots on your lilac, you might be looking at frost damage. To check if a branch is actually dead, you’ll need to do a quick “scratch test” to see if the wood underneath is dry and brittle or still green and full of life.
How to identify and treat frost damage:
- Check the bark for typical dark discolorations.
- Grab a clean pocketknife or garden shears.
- Carefully nick the affected area to see if it’s green underneath.
- Prune back as needed.
If you do find frost-damaged branches, simply prune them back until you hit healthy, green wood. It’s best to do this on a dry, frost-free day before the first leaves start to bud. Your lilac will then use that big spring growth spurt to bounce back better than ever!
