Dead lilac bush - Ask Extension
I have two lilac bushes with dead leaves and one with partially dead leaves They bloomed this spring and now have dead leaves. They are quite old bu...
Knowledgebase
Dead lilac bush #878958
Asked July 26, 2024, 6:19 PM EDT
I have two lilac bushes with dead leaves and one with partially dead leaves They bloomed this spring and now have dead leaves. They are quite old bushes I think. They were large when we bought the house 22 years ago. I am wondering if anything can be done to restore them. What can be done?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
This is lilac blight of which we are seeing a lot this year.
https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/lamentable-lilac-leaf-diseases/#:~:text=The%20Septoria%20and,prevent%20further%20defoliation
Your plants are stressed by the heat and rain BUT they are also stressed by a lack of pruning over a long time.
Remove dead stems now.
Clean fallen leaves now and in the fall.
Leave the rest of this until winter.
The rehabilitation of this patch should consist of "renewal pruning." Cutting one third of the oldest, thickest stems to the ground to open up the shrub.
Repeat this for two years. Allow the smaller shoots to grow up, essentially creating an all new lilac.
The lilac will recover although it may get this again next year.
This is lilac blight of which we are seeing a lot this year.
https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/lamentable-lilac-leaf-diseases/#:~:text=The%20Septoria%20and,prevent%20further%20defoliation
Your plants are stressed by the heat and rain BUT they are also stressed by a lack of pruning over a long time.
Remove dead stems now.
Clean fallen leaves now and in the fall.
Leave the rest of this until winter.
The rehabilitation of this patch should consist of "renewal pruning." Cutting one third of the oldest, thickest stems to the ground to open up the shrub.
Repeat this for two years. Allow the smaller shoots to grow up, essentially creating an all new lilac.
The lilac will recover although it may get this again next year.
