READER’S QUESTION

OUR beautiful young lilac was brought into premature bud by the February heatwave, but then brutalised by the March frosts. The young leaves and flower buds are ruined. Will it recover? E. Bates, Norfolk. YoU are not alone. Frost damage was widespread — but, on mature, hardy shrubs, recovery will be rapid. Do nothing right now. over the coming weeks, when unharmed foliage has matured, the damaged parts will be easy to see. remove those, cutting into healthy wood just above an outward-facing bud.

With recently planted shrubs, recovery takes longer. after pruning, though, new side-shoots will appear and normal growth will resume.