If you've ever cut down a lilac bush, you've had to deal with suckers. Here's how to get tough with them:
• Pull them out as deeply as possible.
• Cover with a thick layer of mulch.
• If that doesn't do it, cover the area with black plastic, as well as a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard.
The good news is that lilac suckers are not nearly as hard to kill as blackberries.
-- Homes & Gardens staff
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