Syringa vulgaris

Fragrant, spring-flowering upright multi-stemmed shrub or small tree in the olive (Oleaceae) family.  There are hundreds of cultivars available including single and double flowers of various colors including white, cream, rose, magenta, pinkish-purple, lavender, and purple.   Most plants are grafted so remove any suckers that develop from rootstock to maintain the appearance and prevent unwanted spread.  This plant grows rapidly to fill its space.  It makes excellent cut flowers.  It tolerates clay soils.  After it is spectacular mid to late spring bloom, the shrub is of little interest in the landscape with its leggy branches and leaves that are susceptible to powdery mildew.  Plan accordingly to have other plants at peak interest during other times of the year. Blooms in early to mid-spring; late frost will sometimes kill the buds, so best sited in a protected location; pungently sweet fragrance (can be overpowering to asthmatics!); used in shrub borders or in groupings; common lilac is hardy zones 3 to 7 and usually will not do well in the southern extreme (7b).

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Spring, May

Wildlife Value:  Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.  This plant is resistant to deer.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insect pests include scales, borers, leaf miners, thrips, and caterpillars. Powdery mildew can seriously affect the appearance of the foliage in the summer but does little permanent damage to the shrub. Prune the center of the plant the help with air flow.  Plant cultivars which are resistant to powdery mildew. Additional disease problems including blights, leaf spots, wilts, ring spot virus, and honey fungus. 

The edible flowers vary widely in flavor from flavorless to green and herbaceous to lilac

Quick ID

• Salverform, 4-petaled flower in panicle of cymes
• Opposite leaves appear cordate, but base truncate
• Upright leggy, top-heavy deciduous shrub