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Early Hybrid Lilac Syringa x hyacinthiflora

Other Common Name(s):

Description

Early flowering lilac is an artificial hybrid cross between S. oblata (Early Lilac) x S. vulgaris (Common Lilac).  First grown by Lemoine in France in the year 1876.  It will bloom up to ten days before the Common Lilac.  Unlike many varieties of lilac, it is highly resistant to powdery mildew.

The genus is derived from the Greek word syrinx, which translates to pipe or tube, and fits this plants stem which can be hollowed out.   The scientific name hyacinthiflora came about due to the flowers' resemblance to a hyacinth.

Available in a large quantity of colors, the flowers can be single or double.

Plant in full sun for increased flowering.

Typically grown and thrive in Zones 3 through 7 as the cooler temperatures will allow the buds to mature into their spring blooms.  In order to allow the plant sufficient time to complete this process, pruning should be done soon after flowering has completed.   A few cultivars do not have this chill requirement, and will do well in more southern zones.  These cultivars include 'Lavender Lady', 'California Rose', 'Excel', and 'Esther Staley'.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Does not do well in acidic soils.  Over-fertilization can lead to fewer blooms.  Drastic pruning can lead to the delay of flowering for a few years.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Anabel'
    Pale purple flower, zones 3-8, 6'-9'
  • 'Angel White'
    White flowers, zones 3-8, 10'-12'
  • 'Asessippi'
    Purple flowers, zones 3-7, 10'-12'
  • 'Declaration'
    Purple flowers, zones 3-7, 6'-18'
  • 'Evangeline'
    Double purple flowers, zones 3-7, 8'-10'
  • 'Excel'
    Single purple flowers, zones 3-9, 8'-10'
  • 'Louvois'
    Early flowering
  • 'Maiden's Blush'
    Single, light pink flowers, zones 3-8, 10'-12'
  • 'Mount Baker'
    White flowers, zones 3-7, 10'-12'
  • 'Old Glory'
    Purple flowers, zones 5-9, 8'-10'
  • 'Pocahontas'
    Single purple flowers, zones 3-7, 10'-12'
  • 'Royal Purple'
    Double, dark purple flowers, zones 2-7, 8'-10'
  • 'Turgot'
    Pink flowers
'Anabel', 'Angel White', 'Asessippi', 'Declaration', 'Evangeline', 'Excel', 'Louvois', 'Maiden's Blush', 'Mount Baker', 'Old Glory', 'Pocahontas', 'Royal Purple', 'Turgot'
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#fragrant flowers#shrub#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#cutting garden#butterfly friendly#shrub borders#broadleaf#butterfly garden#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Anabel'
    Pale purple flower, zones 3-8, 6'-9'
  • 'Angel White'
    White flowers, zones 3-8, 10'-12'
  • 'Asessippi'
    Purple flowers, zones 3-7, 10'-12'
  • 'Declaration'
    Purple flowers, zones 3-7, 6'-18'
  • 'Evangeline'
    Double purple flowers, zones 3-7, 8'-10'
  • 'Excel'
    Single purple flowers, zones 3-9, 8'-10'
  • 'Louvois'
    Early flowering
  • 'Maiden's Blush'
    Single, light pink flowers, zones 3-8, 10'-12'
  • 'Mount Baker'
    White flowers, zones 3-7, 10'-12'
  • 'Old Glory'
    Purple flowers, zones 5-9, 8'-10'
  • 'Pocahontas'
    Single purple flowers, zones 3-7, 10'-12'
  • 'Royal Purple'
    Double, dark purple flowers, zones 2-7, 8'-10'
  • 'Turgot'
    Pink flowers
'Anabel', 'Angel White', 'Asessippi', 'Declaration', 'Evangeline', 'Excel', 'Louvois', 'Maiden's Blush', 'Mount Baker', 'Old Glory', 'Pocahontas', 'Royal Purple', 'Turgot'
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#fragrant flowers#shrub#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#cutting garden#butterfly friendly#shrub borders#broadleaf#butterfly garden#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Syringa
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Variety of uses in the landscape
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    France
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers. Birds use the plant as a habitat.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Nesting
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Erect
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Young leaves are bronze.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds