Lilac (Syringa spp. (commonly Syringa vulgaris – Common Lilac))

Sun Needs:

• Full sun
• Requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Insufficient sun can reduce flowering

Bloom Time:

• Mid to late spring
• Large, conical clusters of fragrant flowers
• Some newer cultivars offer repeat blooming in summer

Size:

Height: 5 to 15 feet (depending on species and cultivar)
Width: 5 to 12 feet. Upright, spreading habit.

Attributes:

• Intensely fragrant spring blooms
• Available in a wide range of colors and sizes
• Attracts butterflies and pollinators
• Excellent for hedges, screens, and specimen plantings
• Cold-hardy and long-lived

Care Tips:

• Plant in well-drained, slightly alkaline to neutral soil
• Water regularly during establishment and dry spells
• Prune immediately after flowering to shape and encourage next year’s blooms
• Remove suckers to maintain shape and prevent spreading
• Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer

Pest watch:

• Monitor for powdery mildew, lilac borers, and scale insects