Aster yellows in a lilac? - Ask Extension
Hi, I had to dig up several coneflowers this summer after they were infected with aster yellows. Now I’ve been pruning my Korean lilac, and I’m co...
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Aster yellows in a lilac? #772744
Asked September 22, 2021, 5:39 PM EDT
Hi, I had to dig up several coneflowers this summer after they were infected with aster yellows. Now I’ve been pruning my Korean lilac, and I’m concerned that it has aster yellows too. What do you think? Please see attached photos. It’s a lovely old bush and I would hate to dig it up and then find out I was wrong.
Thank you!
Blue Earth County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
It is more likely that you lilac has scale. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/lilac/common-lilac-problems.htm
https://byf.unl.edu/oystershell-scale
I would need a better picture, a close up of the bark below those odd flowers.