Q My pruned lilac is sending up runners – how can I stop this?

A BOB SAYS The growth of suckers or runners is often triggered by pruning, and lilacs are notorious for this. It’s possibly worse on choice varieties grafted or budded onto rootstocks prone to suckering. They can’t be prevented, but should lessen if the lilac is not pruned again. Deadheading after flowering is fine though.

Pruning often causes lilac to make suckers, but deadheading won’t