You don't have to worry about the continued existence of a lilac: As a rule, the shrub sprouts very diligently from the roots and continually forms new root runners. In some cases these can overwhelm entire beds, which is why correct removal is so important.
How do I properly remove lilac root runners?
To effectively remove lilac root suckers, you should dig a hole around the sucker, find its base and remove it at that point. Avoid simple cutting as this encourages re-growth.
What are root suckers?
Lilacs produce flowers and therefore seeds (at least if you let them), but they mainly reproduce via so-called root runners. These are shoots that often emerge from the roots several meters away from the mother bush. They soon develop their own roots and become independent of the mother plant. Sometimes, for example, if an old lilac has been cut down or cut back heavily and its rhizome has been left in the ground, several hundred shoots will sprout from the ground.
What is the best way to remove root suckers?
If you want to permanently remove root runners, you should neither chop them off, cut them off nor simply drive over them with a lawnmower. The result would be that the shoots would sprout again from their sleeping eyes underground - and often multiply due to the stress they suffered. However, it is better to proceed as follows:
- Dig a hole around the lilac runner.
- Look for its base, i.e. H. the place from which he was expelled.
- Remove it right here.
- So it can no longer be expelled from any sleeping eyes that may be present.
- Close the hole again.
Especially after digging up or removing an (old) lilac, you should definitely remove all of the roots from the ground. Otherwise, a lilac forest will soon grow around the former location as the roots are increasingly pushing out.
How to prevent the development of root runners
Although no lilac has yet been bred that does not form runners, you can reduce this behavior with a few measures:
- It is best to buy noble lilacs that have been grafted onto rootstocks that do not form runners.
- Be sure to maintain the recommended minimum distance.
- Install a root barrier when planting (€24.00 on Amazon).
- Avoid cutting back older lilacs too much.
- Even after a radical cut, root shoots often sprout.
- Avoid injuring the roots, for example by chopping.
Tip
If possible, you can prevent root runners by covering the area in question with a weed film. You can cover these with potting soil and sow them with annual summer flowers, for example.
