Syringa Sp
Common Lilac
Plant Family:
Oleaceae
Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Flower:
Purple
Blooms :
May
to:
May
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).
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
Yes
Foliage:
Green
Deciduous
The leaves are simple, ovate to broadly ovate, and five to twelve centimeters long.
Oregon Native?
No
West State Native?
No
Common lilac is native of Europe, introduced and naturalized in the United States.
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Partial Sun
Deer Resistant?
Yes
Firewise?
Yes
Height:
8-12'
Spread:
6-12'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Soil:
Prefers moist, fertile, organically rich, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils with good drainage. Avoid soggy soils.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Mulch:
Long Term:
Propagate by cuttings in spring.
Winter:
Spring:
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:
Promptly remove root suckers, particularly on grafted plants, to maintain plant appearance and prevent unwanted colonial spread.
Fall:
Common 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.
Diseases:
Insects:
Also called: