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We are addressing pest damage to lilacs and privet

Next week we will begin work to heavily prune some of the shrubs in the courtyard. This is being done to address a lilac leafhopper infestation and to give the plants the best possible chance to recover.

Next week we will begin work to heavily prune some of the shrubs in the courtyard. This is being done to deal with an infestation of lilac leafhopper and to give the plants the best possible chance to recover.

Leafhoppers feed on plant sap and can cause visible damage to leaves and shoots. To reduce lilac leafhopper infestation, we will be pruning the affected shrubs. Photo: Daniel Vontz, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (kleintiergalerie.de)

Last year we discovered damage on several of our lilacs and parts of the privet hedge. The shrubs developed discoloured leaves that dried out and fell off, and growth was affected. After advice and assessment, the issue was identified as lilac leafhopper, an insect that can affect both lilac and privet, especially during dry and warm periods.

To reduce the infestation, we now need to take stronger measures. Our gardening contractor will therefore prune certain shrubs quite hard next week, in some cases right down to ground level. It may look a bit bare in the courtyard for a while, but this step is necessary to reduce the number of eggs that overwinter and to help the shrubs produce healthy new shoots.

When the shrubs start growing again in spring, they will also be treated with soapy water, a gentle and well proven method to help prevent new outbreaks. The goal is to gradually restore healthier, denser shrubs.

The shrubs will not be permanently harmed by the infestation, but without action the problem can continue year after year. It may look sparse for a time, but with the right measures now we give the plants the best conditions to come back strong.