ChatterBank1 min ago
Lilac Bush
We have a lilac bush in the garden which has found its way in from next door's garden. It is adjacent to the fence and we have a Philadelphus, which we did plant, growing in front of it.
The lilac is now about nine or ten feet tall, despite being cut back to about five feet last year, and all the flowers have died off. How can I get rid of it? I didn't plant it and I really don't like it. It's like a Triffid!
The lilac is now about nine or ten feet tall, despite being cut back to about five feet last year, and all the flowers have died off. How can I get rid of it? I didn't plant it and I really don't like it. It's like a Triffid!
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I don't know Tilly. I think the only way to get rid of them is dig them out or poison them but I am guessing that is a problem if it is your neighbour's bush. I think they also have loads of suckers. It might be a case of cutting back as much as you can and keeping on doing so. But I'm no expert on this!
Toorak, that's the irony. The lilac isn't growing on their side anymore. It's all in our garden, as far as I can tell.
Thanks to Chip and Nylasor too. I can see that i't's going to be a perennial problem if I don't use something chemical on it. I'm concerned about the Philadelphus and a nearly magnolia, though. I really would rather not use anything nasty.
Thanks to Chip and Nylasor too. I can see that i't's going to be a perennial problem if I don't use something chemical on it. I'm concerned about the Philadelphus and a nearly magnolia, though. I really would rather not use anything nasty.
I expect your philadelphus is in flower or just about to be so I'd leave it until it's finished when it should be pruned anyway. You usually cut a proportion of the old stems right down to near the base when pruning but I've never done the whole thing at once. I would imagine it would be ok but don't take my word for it.