The lilacs are starting to bloom. They are one of my favorites. Here are some tips for picking lilacs. They don’t last long in a vase.
- Pick them when it’s cool out.
- Pick them after they have opened up. They won’t open much if at all once picked.
- Remove the leaves
- Cut the stem just above a set of leaves. The stem should be long enough so to be recut every day.
- Make a 1 to 2-inch vertical slit in the stem and remove the bark.
The newly cut branches should be put in a bucket of water or a vase and left in a cool dark place for an hour or two. Keep the flowers in a cool place, and add water every day.
At most, the flowers will last 3 to 4 days. Leaving them on the bush makes sense, but I can’t resist picking a few to enjoy indoors.
If you plan to sell your house soon take a picture of those beautiful lilac bushes blooming.
