Lilac bushes are popular ornamental shrubs known for their beautiful spring blooms and refreshing fragrance. However, their vigorous suckering habit can quickly turn them into invasive nuisances in the garden Lilac suckers are shoots that emerge from the roots and spread rapidly, popping up far from the main plant Getting rid of lilac shoots requires persistence and the right techniques. Here are some effective methods to banish lilac suckers from your garden for good.
Understanding Lilac Suckers
Lilac suckers sprout from the plant’s extensive root system. Mature lilac bushes develop long lateral roots that can extend 20 feet or more from the original shrub. Suckers emerge when these roots are damaged or exposed to light The shoots draw energy from the robust root system, allowing them to grow aggressively Two types of lilac suckers may appear
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Water sprouts – Vertical shoots on stems above ground that do not flower,
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Basal suckers – Shoots emerging from the soil near the base of the main shrub. These may flower if left unchecked.
Left uncontrolled, lilac suckers can quickly colonize large areas of the garden. They crowd out neighboring plants and compete for resources. Their rangy growth looks unsightly compared to the fuller, groomed form of the parent plant.
Problems Caused by Lilac Suckers
Lilac suckers create a variety of problems in the garden:
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They divert energy from the main shrub, potentially weakening it.
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Aggressive spread crowds out desirable garden plants.
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Gangly, irregular growth looks unattractive.
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Thick colonies harbor pests and diseases.
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Shoots emerging throughout the garden make maintenance difficult.
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Root competition deprives other plants of nutrients and moisture.
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Removing large infestations requires extensive work.
Keeping lilac suckers under control is important to maintain a healthy, visually appealing garden environment.
How to Get Rid of Lilac Suckers
Eliminating lilac suckers requires diligence and persistence. The extensive root system continues generating new shoots unless fully removed. Here are some methods to get rid of lilac suckers for good:
Manual Removal
Digging up small suckers can provide temporary relief. Use a spade or trowel to dig down 6-8 inches around each sucker and sever its roots. Remove as much of the root system as possible to slow regeneration. Repeat this process regularly to exhaust the roots over time.
For larger infestations, Removing old lilac bushes completely requires that all root sections be removed. Any piece remaining in the ground can resprout.
Smothering
Covering lilac suckers with mulch, cardboard, or landscape fabric prevents light from reaching emerging shoots. This slows down but does not permanently stop regrowth. Maintain the cover for at least one full growing season.
Herbicides
Systemic herbicides that kill roots provide the most effective control:
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Glyphosate (Roundup) kills all plant tissue. Use caution to avoid harming other plants.
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Triclopyr (Ortho Brush-B-Gon) targets broadleaf plants like lilacs. Less risk to nearby plants.
Apply in late summer or fall so the herbicide travels down to the roots. Sever suckers and immediately apply herbicide to cut stem.
Repeated Pruning
Prune off new shoots as soon as they appear. This will eventually exhaust the root system but can take several years. Remove the entire sucker including its roots for best results. Avoid pruning in fall which can stimulate new growth.
Preventing Lilac Suckers
Preventing lilac suckers from taking over involves proper care for your shrubs:
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Prune established bushes regularly to encourage compact, healthy growth.
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Avoid wounding roots through digging or soil compaction.
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Mulch around lilacs to prevent basal shoots.
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Space lilacs appropriately to limit root spread when planting.
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Remove aging, overgrown shrubs before they produce excessive suckers.
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Monitor for suckers and remove promptly when small.
With diligence and the right techniques, you can get rid of annoying lilac suckers. Your reward will be a garden free of this invasive pest and its detrimental effects.
How to Prune Lilacs
FAQ
How do you stop lilac runners?
The runners that are existing can be sprayed with something called “sucker stopper,” or you will just have to keep cutting and pulling up the existing runners until they are gone. Once all the remaining suckers are gone and you put in the barrier, you should be runner-free for quite a while.
Can you dig up lilac shoots?
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1. Timing:The best time to transplant is in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins, notes Gardening Know How.
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2. Selection:Choose healthy, vigorous shoots that have been growing for at least a year or two.
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3. Digging:Carefully dig around the base of the lilac bush, following the roots of the shoot.
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4. Preparation:Dig a hole in the new location that is large enough to accommodate the root ball of the shoot.
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5. Planting:Place the shoot in the hole, ensuring the roots are spread out, and backfill with soil.
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6. Watering:Water the newly planted shoot thoroughly to help it establish.
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7. Care:Provide the new plant with good care, including watering and sunlight, recommends Gardening Know How.
How to get rid of tree suckers?
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Tear Away:For suckers growing directly from the root, try to tear them away, rather than clipping, to remove more of the root and reduce regrowth.
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Prune Closely:For suckers on the trunk or growing from the rootstock, prune them as close to the base as possible.
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Timing:Removing suckers while they are still young and tender (before they harden off) can make removal easier and may reduce the likelihood of regrowth.
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Frequency:Regularly checking and removing suckers as they appear is the best way to manage them.
Should I let lilac shoots grow?
You only have to remove them if the main plant is a particular named cultivar grafted on wild lilac rootstock – if you leave the suckers from below the graft …Jan 15, 2009
How to get rid of old lilac bushes?
The difficulty of getting rid of aged lilac bushes can be solved by taking them out. The dirt can be made more pliable by generously watering the area around the plant. If the plant is young, you can try taking the roots out by hand. To reveal the roots, dig deeply on all sides with a shovel and a hoe.
What is the fastest way to stop licking lips and fix chapped lips?
Usually, some people may get addicted to licking lips when stressed, so one should try to identify and avoid stress triggers. Doing breathing exercises during stressful periods or when anxious, trying meditation or being mindful can help to avoid licking lips. Applying bitter solutions like neem pastes can help in the short term. Mouth breathing can cause dried lips and result in licking. So breathing through nose, keeping oneself hydrated and applying moisturizing lip creams can be beneficial. If it continues to be a problem, then mental health specialist should be consulted.
How do you get rid of lilac roots?
Avoid spraying herbicide on any suckers still connected to the parent plant. You might also try surrounding your plant with a 6–12” deep underground barrier, such as buried metal or plastic landscape edging, to try to contain the roots. If your lilac is well established, its roots will likely go deeper than this, but it can help.
Are lilac shoots bad?
Lilacs are treasured for their fragrant spring blooms and low maintenance nature. But aggressive new shoots can make them unruly. Left unchecked, lilac suckers and sprouts ruin the plant’s form and vigor. Learn effective strategies to remove unwanted growth and keep your lilacs shapely and flowering beautifully. What Causes Excess Lilac Shoots?
How do you remove dead lilac trees?
If you have a problem with lilacs that have grown too large or you simply want to remove dead lilacs, you can remove the roots and trunks yourself. Dig around the base of the lilac bush using a shovel or spade. The goal is to expose as many of the roots as possible within 2 or 3 feet of the trunk.
How do you stop lilac suckers?
Here are the best methods to stop lilac suckers: Use a plastic barrier landscape cloth. Weed control fabric works mainly by blocking sunlight and seed germination — it doesn’t stop shoots and roots from penetrating the fabric.