top of page

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:
Pat Kolling

Taxon ID#

94

Large shrubs known for their beautiful, fragrant blooms in spring.

Scientific  Name:

Syringa sp.

Common Name 1

› Common Lilac

Family:

Oleaceae

Origins:

Common lilac is native of Europe, introduced and naturalized in the United States.

Plant Type:

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Common Name 2

​

Common Name 3

​

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

3

Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Prefers moist, fertile, organically rich, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils with good drainage. Avoid soggy soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

The leaves are simple, ovate to broadly ovate, and five to twelve centimeters long.

Fragrant:

yes

Predominant flower color:

Purple

Flower Description:

Tubular, 4-lobed, lilac to purple flowers (each to 1/3" long) which bloom in large conical to narrow-pyramidal panicles (to 6-8" long).

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

​

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

8-12'

Mature spread:

6-12'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

​

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Used by Wildlife:

no

Swales:

yes

Wildlife Use:

​

Photo:
​

Hedge/Screen:

yes

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

yes

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

no

Cover Structures:

no

First Bloom:

May

Last Bloom:

Adds Texture/Movement:

May

Ornamental Accent:

yes

no

Garden Observations:

Treated with beneficial nematodes 5/13/21

Seasonal Care
Maintenance

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Prune as needed immediately after flowering. To the extent practicable, promptly remove faded flower panicles before seed set. It is of vital importance to do this. Allowing the flower heads to go to seed greatly weaken the plant. These shrubs are not p

Summer Care:

Promptly remove root suckers, particularly on grafted plants, to maintain plant appearance and prevent unwanted colonial spread.

Fall Care:

​

Winter Care:

​

Long Term Care:

Propagate by cuttings in spring.

Insect Pests:

​

Wildlife Pests:

​

Diseases:

Powdery mildew https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-and-disease-descriptions?title=Lilac

Environmental Problems:

Should be planted in areas with good air circulation to reduce problems with powdery mildew.

Landscape Problems:

Suckering, Powdery mildew frequently attacks in summer. It can seriously affect the appearance of the foliage (unsightly whitish-gray patches begin to develop on the leaves in summer), but generally does little permanent damage to the shrub.

Care Comments:

Best grown in cool summer climates. Not recommended for planting in the hot and humid conditions

Landscape Application
Resource Links

Plant Maintenance Information

bottom of page