It’s love at first whiff.
Sorry gals. No expensive, store bought eau de whatever stirs the sap like the sweet scent of lilac wafting on a balmy evening breeze.
Lilac is the perfume of spring. 
My lilacs bloomed earlier than usual. I expect them at the start of May. The flower buds broke dormancy way ahead of schedule given the mild winter. But a prolonged April chill helped the cascade of seductively scented purple, pink and white blossoms linger longer.
If you plan to prune your lilac, hurry! Now is the time to grab the clippers.
Next spring’s flowers are conceived this season. Lilacs bloom on old growth. Prune now so you don’t cut off the developing buds. View image
Also, immediately clip faded blossoms before the flowers go to seed to pump all the plant’s sexual energy into forming more abundant blooms for 2009.
Pruning is great for shaping and rejuvenating lilacs. A light trim will stimulate lateral (side) growth for a bushy effect. For older plants cut a third of the old wood back to the ground. Flower buds will develop on the emerging new shoots in the next couple years, while the plant continues to produce flowers on the remaining old branches.
Mulch and water lilacs consistently throughout summer and fall. Your nose will be rewarded next spring.
