Lilac bush

[rosieparisian]

After my lilac bush bloomed this year many of its leaves fell off. In August it bloomed for a second time; this has never happened before. Can anyone explain why this happened?

 

[Tom L.]

Back in my 'teens, there was a big lilac bush growing in our back yard; we lived there for 10 years, but it only ever bloomed in early summer (or late spring). It never dropped all leaves early, though. Lilacs usually bloom when they're putting out their leaves or shortly after. Did it sprout new leaves too?