Strange lilac leaf growth

Question

My lilac (about three years old)which grew and bloomed well last year, budded out normally this year and only one branch actually filled out with normal leaf growth. The rest of the bush has little tufts of green growth from each of the budded areas. It did not bloom and looks rather strange. Do I need to do something or just wait it out and see what happens next year?

Answer 1

When I first saw the image, I thought of a few of the shrubs in my own garden. I’m also in MN and have stunted and similar growth on my Lil Kim Lilacs as well as Verbena, St John’s Wort and Weigela.
Wait it out. Extra watering if you are dry, that has helped mine catch up.
Give a feeding of a balanced fertilizer also.

I believe our weather last year and winter length are the reasons for these issues.
We were well below zero most of the winter, which brings our growing zone down.
Plants are showing the effects.
Good luck and happy gardening, neighbor!