Lilac

Common Name: 
Lilac
Scientific Name Genus: 
Syringa
Family Name: 
Oleaceae
Identification Notes
Best grown in an average, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Needs good air circulation to perform well. Pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Does not do well with wet soil or full shade.
Native Habitat
Native so southern Europe. Hardy zones 3-7.
Growth Habit
Upright form growing 8-15' tall and 6-12' wide. Multi-stemmed and suckering.
Syringa vulgaris form
Leaves
Leaves are opposite, ovate with a point to heart-shaped. Gray-green to blue-green in color. 2-5" long
Does not have good fall color.
Syringa vulgaris leaves
Bark and Stems
Smooth, light gray bark with raised leaf scars.
Flowers
Small, tubular, 4-lobed flowers create large panicles of flowers growing 6-8" long. Blooms occur in early May. Very showy
Flowers are lilac-purple with cultivars offering other shades of purple, pink, and white.
Lilac flowers
Deeper purple flowers
Double flower form
Fruit
Beaked capsules in long panicles. Not ornamental. Should be removed.
Bloom Time
May
Common Problems
Powdery mildew, blights, leaf spots, wilts, ring spot virus, scales, borers, leaf miners, thrips, and caterpillars.
Varieties or Cultivars
President Lincoln - blue-purple flowers, 8 feet tall by 10 feet wide
Charles Joly - deep magenta flowers, 12 feet tall by 10 wide
Avalanche - white flowers, 7-9 feet tall and wide
Sensation - purple with a white edge
Mme. Lemoine - double white flowers
Beauty of Moscow - pink buds that open to double, pink-white flowers that age to white
Ludwig Spaeth - reddish-purple flowers, later than other forms
Related Species
Syringa pubescens subsp. mirophylla
Syringa pubescens subsp. patula
Syringa reticulata
Syringa meyeri
Landscape Uses
Best used a specimen or accent where the fragrant flowers can be appreciated. Can also be used in the shrub border, cottage garden, or as a screen. Good as a cut flower.