Sweetheart Lilac Syringa x hyacinthiflora
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- si-RING-gah hy-a-sin-thi-FLO-rah
- Description
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Early flowering lilac is an artificial hybrid cross between early lilac (S. oblata) and common lilac (S. vulgaris). First grown by Lemoine in France in t1876, early lilac will bloom up to ten days before the common lilac. It is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae). The epithet hyacinthiflora highlights the resemblance of the flower to that of hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis).
Plant in full sun for increased flowering. Unlike many varieties of lilac, it is highly resistant to powdery mildew. Early lilac will grow and thrive in Zones 3 through 7 where the cooler temperatures will allow the buds to mature into their spring blooms. A few cultivars have a low chill requirement and will do well in warmer zones. These cultivars include 'Lavender Lady', 'California Rose', 'Excel', and 'Esther Staley'.
Available in a large quantity of colors, the flowers can be single or double.
Use this lilac in children’s, cutting, butterfly, pollinator and cottage gardens.
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:
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- 'Anabel'
Pale purple flower, zones 3-8, 6'-9' - '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'
- 'Anabel', 'Asessippi', 'Declaration', 'Evangeline', 'Excel', 'Louvois', 'Maiden's Blush', 'Mount Baker', 'Old Glory', 'Pocahontas', 'Royal Purple', 'Turgot'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Anabel'
Pale purple flower, zones 3-8, 6'-9' - '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'
- 'Anabel', 'Asessippi', 'Declaration', 'Evangeline', 'Excel', 'Louvois', 'Maiden's Blush', 'Mount Baker', 'Old Glory', 'Pocahontas', 'Royal Purple', 'Turgot'
- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Erect
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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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
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
