About
A bushy, deciduous shrub to around 5m in height, with heart-shaped green leaves. Clusters of aromatic, double flowers in shades of lavender, white and purple-lilac 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)