I f*cking hate lilacs!!!!

I am pretty sure I've complained about the lilac bush on the side of my front yard before but here I am bitching about it again. Why you ask? I freaking hate the goddamn jungle that erupts every spring under the stupid thing. It sprouts thousands of mini lilacs underneath and looks like ass. I do not want a jungle in my front yard so I tackle it a couple times each spring/summer to tame the beast. And each time I end up scratched, sore, and covered in blisters. It took me 1.5 hours this morning and that doesn't include bagging the mess because I was too damn tired to deal with it so left it piled on the driveway (until my hands stop cramping). When/if we build the new house, I want that damn bush GONE!

Comments

[Caroline]

But they are so pretty, and smell so good :)

[KiM]

But SO not worth the 2 weeks they're in bloom and smell good.

[Greg H]

Kim-

Unfortunately, pruning it to have a tree form with exposed trunks is a losing battle. As you've learned, as soon as you put the pruners away and the blister are healed, those little suckers are always going to pop back up. Next spring, I suggest cutting out the tall, thick, old stems at the their base, leaving the newer growth. You might not get any blooms for a couple seasons, but in the long run you will have a less "leggy" looking bush. From there, keep the height under control by trimming it right after it blooms. As you seem to know, lilacs don't make very good city plants. They are at their best when given plenty of room to spread in all directions. If you can't allow low foliage because it blocks the view from the driveway, you probably are best off just getting rid of it.

[Michelle]

Lilac's - wow! Agree with poster above. Next time cut the 'old growth', the leggy branches.