What's killing lilacs & other shrubs? Just started this week! - Ask Extension
My neighbors lilac hedge in East Bloomington & my son's lilac hedge in South Minneapolis are both suddenly dying. I also noticed a hedge this mor...
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What's killing lilacs & other shrubs? Just started this week! #877664
Asked July 17, 2024, 3:38 PM EDT
My neighbors lilac hedge in East Bloomington & my son's lilac hedge in South Minneapolis are both suddenly dying. I also noticed a hedge this morning (not lilacs) by Burger King in West Bloomington also appearing to be dying. It just started during this past week & the leaves are turning brown, drying out & dying. It can't be from lack of water due to all the rain we've been getting. Do you have any idea what is happening & if there is something we can do?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Karen,
Many lilacs are getting bacterial blight this year. Here's some helpful web pages:
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/lilac-bacterial-blight
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/lilacbacterialblight.pdf
If you don't think this is blight, this page may help you narrow the cause:
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/lilac/
The only way to determine if this is blight is to have a sample of the plant tested. The Plant Disease Clinic at the U of M does this, but for a price. You can find more information here:
Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer. Good luck.
