Shrub
Common lilac
Syringa vulgaris
A large, long-lived deciduous shrub with strongly fragrant purple spring flowers. It performs best in sun and needs room for a broad crown and possible suckering at the base.
- Size
- 4–8 m high · 4–8 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Very hardy
- Seasonal form
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- Low
Before planting
- Allow for a broad mature shrub rather than judging the space needed from a young plant.
- New shoots may arise from the base and form a wider thicket if they are not removed.
Why choose it
- Produces strongly fragrant flower panicles in spring.
- Forms a robust, long-lived screen or flowering backdrop.
Care
- Grow in full sun for the strongest flowering.
- Prune only when needed and do it soon after flowering.
- Avoid hard annual clipping, which removes flowering wood and spoils the natural habit.