Lilac shoots, also known as suckers, are a common issue for gardeners growing lilac bushes. These shoots sprout from the lilac’s root system and can pop up aggressively around the main plant. While lilac suckers are a natural part of the plant’s growth, keeping them under control takes some persistence. In this article, we’ll explore why lilac shoots happen and the best ways to remove lilac suckers in your yard or garden.
Understanding Lilac Shoot Growth
Lilac suckers occur when the root system of the lilac bush produces new shoots. This often happens as a stress response if the roots get damaged, but can also be part of the plant’s natural spreading or rejuvenating process. Some lilac varieties are more prone to suckering than others.
Suckers emerge from the lilac’s extensive root system, which grows wide and deep. The suckers can pop up anywhere within the root zone, sometimes several feet away from the main shrub. Unchecked lilac shoot growth results in a dense thicket of undesirable shoots around the base of the main plant.
While lilac shoots can be frustrating, they serve an important purpose for the plant. Suckers allow lilacs to propagate and spread. They also let the plant regenerate and renew itself. But as a gardener, you likely want to keep your lilacs contained to a reasonable size and area.
Best Methods to Remove Lilac Shoots
Getting rid of lilac suckers requires diligence and using multiple control methods together. Simply cutting back shoots repeatedly often makes the problem worse. Follow these tips to stop lilac shoots from taking over:
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Install root barriers Root barrier products like deep plastic edging or weed fabric can help restrict the spread of lilac roots and shoots Install the barriers in a wide ring around lilacs
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Use growth inhibitors Products containing chemicals like napthaleneacetic acid stop the growth of emerging suckers Apply them according to label directions
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Prune aggressively: Tear shoots off completely at the root rather than just snipping them. Removing dormant growth buds helps prevent rapid regrowth.
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Transplant shoots: Dig up unwanted shoots with roots attached to replant elsewhere. Though they’ll likely sucker too, this can expand your lilacs.
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Apply herbicides: As a last resort, use a concentrated herbicide on isolated shoots you can’t remove by other means. Avoid spraying any leaves on the main shrub.
Consistency is vital when removing lilac shoots. Monitor your plants vigilantly during the growing season and take action as soon as suckers appear. Combining multiple removal techniques usually provides the best control over rampant lilac shoot growth.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Lilac Shoots
Follow these steps to get rid of lilac suckers:
Gather Your Tools
First, gather the tools and materials you’ll need:
- Gardening shovel and/or pruners
- Weed pulling tool (dandelion fork)
- Plastic or metal root barrier
- Growth inhibitor product
- Protective gardening gloves and eye wear
Install Root Barriers
Place root barrier products like landscape fabric, weed cloth, or plastic edging in a ring around your lilac bushes. Make the barrier ring 2-3 feet wider than the plant’s dripline. Bury or secure the edging well.
This helps block new suckers from penetrating while allowing you to treat existing shoots.
Monitor and Remove Shoots
Check lilacs frequently for new shoot growth during spring and summer. Take action as soon as you spot suckers starting to emerge.
Use a dandelion fork or pruning shears to remove shoots. Tear them off entirely at ground level, removing as much of the root as possible. This is more effective than just snipping off the sucker.
For larger shoots, use a shovel to dig down and extract the entire sucker and root. You can replant these in another location if desired.
Use Growth Inhibitors
For areas where removing shoots proves difficult, apply a commercial growth inhibitor product. Follow the label directions closely.
Growth inhibitor chemicals stop lilac shoot growth and regrowth. But they require very precise application targeted only on suckers to be effective and avoid damaging your main shrub.
Selectively Apply Herbicide
As a last resort, use a concentrated herbicide like glyphosate on isolated shoots you cannot remove by other means. Only apply it directly on unwanted shoots, avoiding any contact with leaves and stems of your main lilac bush.
Herbicides should be a final option for extreme cases. They carry more risks to your desirable plants but can eliminate shoots that evade other control methods.
Why Removing Lilac Shoots is Important
Letting lilac shoots go uncontrolled leads to some issues:
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They crowd out other plants: Aggressive suckers can choke out grass, flowers, and other landscape plants near your lilac.
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They compete for nutrients: Excess shoots deprive the main lilac shrub of nutrients, water, and light. This can weaken the lilac.
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They look messy: Lots of shoots around lilacs just doesn’t look very attractive. It has an unkempt, weedy appearance.
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They damage structures: Unchecked lilac shoot growth can disrupt paths, patios, and other yard structures as roots spread.
Controlling lilac suckers takes effort but allows your main shrub to thrive while preventing the thicket look. A healthy, vigorous lilac bush with minimal shoots is the ultimate goal.
When to Remove Lilac Shoots
The best time to remove lilac suckers is:
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Spring: Check for new shoots and remove frequently after bloom season as growth accelerates.
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Summer: Monitor and take out suckers aggressively during summer, the most active growth period.
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Fall: Remove any late season regrowth before winter dormancy.
While you can cut back shoots during any frost-free periods, focusing on spring through fall provides the most effective control over rampant suckering.
Preventing Lilac Shoots
While nearly impossible to prevent completely, you can discourage lilac shoots proactively:
- Select varieties grafted onto dwarfing rootstock.
- Avoid damaging roots near the plant’s base.
- Mulch around the shrub to protect shallow roots.
- Water during droughts to reduce stress.
- Fertilize according to soil test recommendations.
- Prune judiciously to shape but avoid over-cutting.
Take care of your lilac properly and it will produce fewer stress-induced suckers. But most varieties will generate shoots to some degree that require control.
When to Call a Professional
In most cases, consistent DIY removal of lilac suckers is effective. But if you feel overwhelmed dealing with rampant shoots or want to transplant or replace extremely overgrown lilacs, hiring a professional landscaper is a good idea.
A landscape company can efficiently install root barriers, prune back out-of-control growth, and transplant or remove large lilac bushes. They can also treat stubborn suckers with specialized tools and chemicals.
Lilac Shoot Alternatives
If the constant suckering becomes too much, consider replacing problem lilac bushes with alternative plants that offer similar benefits without excessive shooting. Some options include:
- Butterfly bush
- Bluebeard shrub
- Mock orange
- Flowering quince
- Weigela
- Spirea
Do your research to pick flowering shrubs suitable for your growing zone and landscape needs. Local nurseries can provide recommendations for non-suckering lilac alternatives.
Final Tips for Removing Lilac Shoots
Managing lilac suckers takes persistence, but these final tips will help:
- Inspect for new shoots frequently and take quick action.
- Combining multiple removal methods is most effective.
- Expect the process to be ongoing during the growing season.
- Removing shoots repeatedly in the same area can stimulate more suckering.
- Transplant usable shoots to expand your landscape lilacs.
- Monitor other vegetation for impacts from aggressive shoots.
Staying vigilant and using the right techniques will keep your lilacs beautiful and your yard free of excessive shoots sprouting up where you don’t want them.
Reducing Lilac Size and Thinning
How much thinning does your lilac need? That’s your choice to make.
Where to make cuts on a trunk or branch
Prune to minimize bare stubs — cut to just above a branch node or bud lest you leave an unsightly stub that will die off. Its wise (and cleaner-looking) to cut to redirect growth to a significant side branch, and away from the center of the plant. We strongly recommend this for more delicate plants such as Japanese maples, but with sprouting shrubs such as lilacs, its not as essential. They will sprout close to wherever you cut. The same goes for sawing thicker trunks — close to a side branch or at the ground will look better, but the shrub is likely to sprout from anywhere.
As with most shrubs, dont obsess with cutting every last branch that you “need” to, or making every cut perfect. I often describe pruning as “nudging” your plant toward a certain direction or behavior rather than strictly controlling it. A lilac can be a strong-willed child – better to redirect it gently and frequently, rather than try to control its future with one heavy-handed pruning session.
Propagate Lilac Shoots or Suckers – Easiest Way to Start Lilacs!
FAQ
How do you keep a lilac tree from spreading shoots?
Does anyone have tips for keeping lilac shoots/suckers at bay? Preferably not landscape fabric if possible. Mine are absolutely taking over the garden bed they are in. Cut them off. Root prune with a sharp shovel and pull up any suckers. You should be using them to help replenish your oldest canes.
How to get rid of tree offshoots?
To get rid of tree offshoots, also known as suckers, the most effective method is to prune them off at the base, as close to the main stem or root as possible.
Will Roundup kill lilac bushes?
Yes, Roundup (glyphosate) can kill lilac bushes, especially if it’s sprayed directly on the plant or if it’s applied to the cut stems of a lilac bush that has been recently pruned.
Do lilacs send out runners?
Yes, lilacs are known to send out runners, which are technically called suckers.