About
A long-lived, evergreen shrub to around 4m in height, with heart-shaped green leaves. Clusters of perfumed, single dark violet-purple flowers appear from April to May.
About the genus
Syringa can be deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple, entire or rarely pinnate leaves and conical panicles of small, very fragrant, 4-lobed tubular flowers in late spring or early summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationThrives in well-drained, fertile, humus-rich alkaline to neutral soils. Will tolerate some light shade but flowering is best in full sun. Mulch well in spring
PruningPruning group 1 or can tolerate hard pruning if needed
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, privet thrips; and also to pigeon damage
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, phytophthora, powdery mildews and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas Syringae)