Syringa vulgaris
common lilac
This is the wild species of Lilac from which all our modern varieties have been selected. It is a deciduous shrub which grows into a bushy thicket of around 7 x 7m and has green heart-shaped leaves. The light blue-purple flowers are very sweet-smelling in early summer.
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Pink | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Genus
Syringa can be deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple, entire or rarely pinnate leaves and conical panicles of small, very fragrant, 4-lobed tubular flowers in late spring or early summer
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in good light, in moist but well-drained soil. It likes neutral to alkaline soil and thrives in chalky ground.
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Banks and slopes
- Cut flowers
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or can tolerate hard pruning if needed
Pests
May be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, privet thrips; and also to pigeon damage
Diseases
May be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, phytophthora, powdery mildews and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas Syringae)
Get involved
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