Pest identification
What's eating my lilac 'charles joly'?
Lilac borer (Podosesia syringae)
Signs: Frass-filled tunnels in stems, wilting shoots, and branch die-back in established plants.
Control: Prune out and destroy infested wood promptly. Spray trunks with permethrin in late spring timed to adult moth emergence.
Oyster shell scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi)
Signs: Encrusting grey scales on stems cause gradual weakening and yellowing foliage.
Control: Winter horticultural oil spray; scrub individual branches with a soft brush; systemic insecticide for heavy infestations.
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew and distorted leaves on new growth in spring.
Control: Water-jet treatment; insecticidal soap; avoid excess nitrogen feed that encourages the soft growth aphids prefer.
Keep lilac 'charles joly' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lilac 'Charles Joly' pests — FAQ
What is eating my lilac 'charles joly'?
Lilac 'Charles Joly' shares the standard lilac pest profile. Lilac borer is the most serious threat, tunnelling into older wood. Oyster shell scale weakens stems, and aphids gather on fresh shoot tips in spring. Deer browse flower buds. Double-flowered cultivars like 'Charles Joly' are no more or less susceptible than the species.
How do I get rid of lilac borer (podosesia syringae) on lilac 'charles joly'?
Frass-filled tunnels in stems, wilting shoots, and branch die-back in established plants. Prune out and destroy infested wood promptly. Spray trunks with permethrin in late spring timed to adult moth emergence.
How do I get rid of oyster shell scale (lepidosaphes ulmi) on lilac 'charles joly'?
Encrusting grey scales on stems cause gradual weakening and yellowing foliage. Winter horticultural oil spray; scrub individual branches with a soft brush; systemic insecticide for heavy infestations.
How do I get rid of aphids on lilac 'charles joly'?
Sticky honeydew and distorted leaves on new growth in spring. Water-jet treatment; insecticidal soap; avoid excess nitrogen feed that encourages the soft growth aphids prefer.