What are root runners?
Lilacs form flowers and thus also seeds (at least if you let them), but they multiply mainly 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 thus become independent of the mother plant. Sometimes, for example, if an old lilac has been cut down or severely pruned and its rhizome has been left in the ground, several hundred saplings will emerge from the ground.
also read
- Are there lilacs without runners? Fight root runners consistently
- Permanently Removing Lilacs - Why Removing the Root Is So Important
- Cut dead flowers when cutting lilacs
What is the best way to remove root runners?
If you want to permanently remove root runners, you should neither chop them off, cut them off nor simply drive over them with the lawnmower. The consequence would be that the shoots sprout again from their sleeping eyes lying underground - and often multiply due to the stress suffered. It is better, however, to proceed as follows:
- Dig a hole around the lilac runners.
- Look for its base, i.e. the place from which it was expelled.
- Remove it right here.
- So he can no longer drive out of any sleeping eyes.
- Close the hole again.
Especially after digging up or removing an (old) lilac, you should absolutely remove all roots from the ground. Otherwise, a lilac forest will soon grow around the former location, as the roots increasingly rely on expulsion.
In this way you can prevent the development of root runners
Although no lilac has not yet been grown that does not form runners, you can reduce this behavior with a few measures:
- Preferably buy precious lilacs that have been refined on non-runners
- Be sure to keep the recommended minimum distance.
- Install a root barrier when you are planting.
- Avoid too much pruning of older lilacs.
- Even after a radical cut, root shoots often sprout.
- Avoid damaging the roots, for example by chopping.
Tips
If possible, you can prevent root runners by covering the area with weed sheeting. You can then cover these with potting soil and, for example, sow annual summer flowers.
