Lilac bushes are arguably one of the most fragrant flowers in the plant world. If a bush becomes leggy and shapeless, rejuvenate the lilac by cutting it down to about 18 inches tall. Choose an area with plenty of afternoon sun and well-drained soil. Head (cut) back the retained shoots to just above a bud to encourage branching. Lilac Bush Purple Old Fashion Lilac Trees Ready to Plant 9" - 14" Inches Tall Fully Rooted in Soil by legendary-yes 4.1 out of 5 stars 9 $28.00 $ 28 . Clean the blades of the pruning shears with rubbing alcohol and a clean rag. The bush is not leggy and weak but grows and flowers strongly. Any plant that you’ve had a few years and is starting to get messy or out of control is ready for a hard pruning. Privet, Hydrangea. ... Prune out and burn all affected tissues immediately. Lilac blight is difficult to control and it is recommended that you buy blight-resistant varieties whenever you plant new lilacs. Six Foot Lilac Bush - What month is the best time to cut it back to about four feet? Watering the ground around the plant thoroughly helps loosen the soil. Euonymous, Lilac, Nannyberry. The common purple lilac is a tough, reliable shrub that may reach a height of 15 to 20 feet. Finally, remove all of the remaining old wood in late winter of the third year. Another way to start getting rid of lilac bushes is to use chemicals. During the first couple years, it is important to water your lilacs … When this happens, you’ll want to slowly remove 1/3 of the bush’s oldest branches every year because this will encourage the bush to grow new shoots. As a result, large, overgrown specimens are often leggy and unattractive. Home gardeners can choose between two different pruning methods. Common lilac bushes (Syringa vulgaris) are deciduous shrubs that bloom in late spring.Syringa is a member of the olive family, along with other such ornamental plants as ash trees, forsythia shrubs, and privet shrubs.The best time to plant lilac bushes in fall, before the ground freezes. Lilac shrubs reproduce by seeds, but they also grow new plants from suckers. Also, thin out … In addition to color, pay attention to the full-grown height of the plant. Control the height and width of your lilac bushes by cutting them back as soon as the plants finish blooming. Slugs and snails are the most common culprits to attack lilacs. (800) 262-3804, Iowa State University | PoliciesState & National Extension Partners, by Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture, Like us at Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, Like us at Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. Lilacs, rugosa roses, and other plants that commonly sucker are naturally prepared for hard pruning. You can try pulling out the roots by hand if the plant is young. Care of Lilac Bushes The idea is to remove air pockets, yet keep the soil porous. Each of these can grow into a new bush. How to get rid of lilac bushes? Cut flowers off of the lilac bush with pruning shears after they have bloomed and are beginning to die. Pruning a lilac - any lilac - is not rocket science and almost foolproof as far as causing the shrub major distress (except for disturbing the bloom cycle). Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Apply it quickly after cutting down the shrubs. Shoots grow from the roots parallel with the surface of the soil. Bonide® Total Pest Control; Leaf Spot. Additional thinning of the new shoots should also be done. Burn or dispose of all of the foliage. A second way to prune old lilacs is to cut back the overgrown shrubs over a three-year period. When filling in with soil, it is important to water thoroughly. After the first year, water only during dry spells as lilac bushes are pretty drought resistant, especially as they get older with more extensive root systems. Also, thin out some of the new growth. Q. I have put down plastic under the bench with mulch. Keep the mulch thick enough to keep out weeds and retain some moisture but light enough not to hold too much. Begin the procedure by removing one-third of the large, old stems at ground level in late winter. Once rejuvenated, pruning should be a regular part of the maintenance program for lilacs. And once you have a lilac in your yard, you will not get rid of it easily. Appears as black or brown spots on underside of leaves. This sterilizes the blade, preventing... 2. Flowering Shrubs. A second way to prune old lilacs is to cut back the overgrown shrubs over a three-year period. However, for older, established plants, youâll do better using a tractor or truck to pull out the plantâs root system. The following year (again in late winter), prune out one-half of the remaining old stems. Following planting lilac bushes, water them thoroughly and add a layer of loose mulch. The bush is full of flowers and some of the stems on the outside of the bush are trailing on the ground. A heavy infestation, however, … Lilac bushes and trees are typically sturdy, but pest problems can happen. Learn how to plant and care for your own lilac bush, plus get lilac pruning tips and design ideas. Mechanical Removal The first step in removing a lilac is to cut down the exposed portions of the plant. Unfortunately, as lilacs mature, the shaded lower portions of the shrubs usually lose their leaves. Lilac bushes (Syringa vulgaris) offer fragrant, lacy blossoms in the springtime. Use the shovel to remove the entire rootball. To preserve next year's blooms, only remove about a third of the plant's largest branches. Natural Control. Water your lilac bush well the first year while it gets established. There are many different lilac cultivars (types). Keep the soil moist, but not wet. Like spiraea, you can chop this shrub virtually to the ground and have it pop back to life rapidly........although it may never win any prizes for appearance. Note: Chemical control should only be used as a last resort, as organic approaches are safer and much more environmentally friendly. Lilacs are known for what is called “sucker growth,” which is when the plant sprouts from the root system. Answer: Sounds like your lilac needs rehab. The second step in getting rid of lilac bushes with chemicals is to apply herbicide containing Glyphosate. Some plants, such as Palibin' and Superba lilacs, grow into 5 to 6 - foot bushes. 2150 Beardshear Hall The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed. This article was originally published on February 10, 1993. Botanically known as Syringa, Nature Hills offers lilacs in a ‘tree form’ along with the more traditional bush form. There’s even a Lilac Festival Queen and a Grand Parade. This process is called thinning, and it helps the plant by allowing fresh air to circulate through the plant and removing dying foliage that sap its energy. They make me sneeze. Keep adding more tension and eventually the root ball will emerge from the soil. Visit a nursery to pick out a variety of lilac to grow. Many people have problems with overgrown lilac bushes that have grown several feet above eye level and have stopped producing flowers. They can easily replace wood from their strong root systems. Lilac bushes will also grow better when given a light fertilizer in the early spring months. However, they can be very invasive plants. This severe pruning will induce a large number of shoots to develop during the growing season. Put out-of-control lilacs on three-year rehab plan ... them in for bouquets without getting a stepladder out. Lilacs won’t bloom if they’re overfertilized. that I cut the bush down to 4 feet from 20′ and thinned out the base cleaning up the ground as I … They can handle a handful of 10-10-10 in late winter, but no more. When you put this chemical on open cuts on the lilac stumps, it will kill the roots. I live in the desert and summer temperatures can be over… Q: When and how should lilac bushes be trimmed?I have a few lilacs that are 12 feet tall. Remember: new shoots are necessary for producing flower … Hi ! Sign up for our newsletter. Discover the best lilac plants for growing in your garden, including ‘Miss Kim’ lilac, Bloomerang lilac and ‘Sensation’ lilac. They come in many different sizes and colors of bloom. If you notice insects taking out your plant, spray your trees with soapy water to keep them away. Search for dead or diseased stems. Today, “Lost among the lilacs”. It has the main stem and lots of stems coming off it. It may be the emergence of the grove that causes you to ask: âHow do I get rid of lilac roots?â But plants can also be diseased, infected, or just plain overwhelming. The plants are a favourite of bees and I hate to dig them out but, they are woody and overgrown. Recommended Fertilizer For Baby Lilac Bush - Please suggest a spring fertilizer for my lilac bush. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! A single lilac plant easily forms a grove of these shrubs over time. 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