Lilac

Lilacs (Syringa) are small trees or large shrubs known for their superb scented flowers.

How to choose Lilac

Lilacs (Syringa) are small trees or large shrubs, part of the olive family. They are best known for their stunning spring blossom. While many varieties - as the common name suggests - have lilac-coloured blossom, there are also varieties with mauve, purple, white or yellow blossom.

Flowering usually occurs in May and lasts several weeks, into early June.

The flowers of most lilacs are also strongly scented. Some are also "double" flowers, featuring a larger number of petals per flower, which give a more dense and colourful impact.

All lilacs like to be in full sun if possible, although they will tolerate some shade.

Lilacs will grow in most good soils, but are a particularly good choice if you are on chalk or slightly alkaline soil.

Most lilacs will reach a height of about 3m after 10 years or so, with a typical spread of about 2m. They tend to be quite upright and do not spread sideways much.

Lilacs quickly become multi-stemmed shrubs as a result of suckering from the base of the original stem. We graft our lilacs on to rootstocks of the lilac species Syringa tomentella which is less prone to suckering, but if you prefer to maintain a single stem you should periodically check for and remove suckers as they arise.

Young lilacs don't need pruning at all, so leave them for the first couple of years after planting. Older lilacs benefit from a light prune immediately after the flowers have finished, typically in early June. This will encourage more blooms the following year. If you wish to hard-prune a lilac, perhaps to reduce height, then choose a mild spell in mid-winter.

All lilacs are cold-hardy and are unlikely to need winter protection in UK conditions.

Lilac

How to choose Lilac

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