Do Lilac Bushes Need a Mate to Bloom?
- The question of whether or not a companion plant is required is relevant to fruit production. Some plant species, like holly, bear either male or female flowers and both sexes are required to bear fruit. Many other plants are hermaphroditic and bear perfect, or complete, flowers with both male and female parts.
- Providing a mate is not necessary for plants to flower. While lilac flowers are perfect, it is not relevant to flowering. Furthermore, since lilacs are grown for their flowers and not their fruit or seeds, it is not relevant at all, except to lilac breeders.
- Lilacs require full sun to bloom their best. Lilacs should be cut back in spring after they bloom to promote fuller bloom the following season. Cutting them in summer or fall cuts off the next season's flower buds.