ORNAMENTAL SHRUB 

SYRINGA: LILAC

  Masses of exquisite flower clusters filling the air with an alluring fragrance make the Lilac one of the most popular of all shrubs.  These beautiful flowers, coming in many different colors,  make a delightful fresh cut flower.  The florets may be single or double, large or small, depending on the variety.  The plants  come in a variety of  shapes and sizes as well - dwarf and bushy,  mid sized to the taller tree lilac.     Although Lilacs require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day,  it is  a good idea to plant where the shrub is slightly shaded during the hottest part of the day in order to achieve long lasting color in the blooms.  Lilacs are somewhat drought tolerant, but the flowers look the best when planted in a moist, well-drained location.  Prune Lilacs immediately after they are finished flowering.  

      There are several different kinds of Lilacs. The American Lilac is  non-suckering , producing masses of fragrant flowers, even as a young plant.  They are the first to bloom each spring.   Father Fiala's Lilacs are a series of French Lilacs that have improved significantly in both form and color.  The beautiful French Lilacs make up the  group that is  highly esteemed for their fragrance.  They are the most fragrant of all the lilacs. French Lilacs bloom in June,  approximately  7-10 days after the American Lilac.  Preston Lilacs are non-suckering, producing less flowers then the French Lilac.  These lightly scented flowers bloom on large trusses about 2 weeks after the French Lilacs. 

 

 Lilac Cultivars for the Prairies

Cultivar Name

 

 Size

Zone

Flowers

Description
AMERICAN LILACS        
Annabel Lilac

Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Annabel'

 10-12' (3.6m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 2 Double pink  
Maiden's Blush Lilac

Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Maiden's Blush'

5-6' (1.75m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 2 Single pink. Upright shrub that flowers freely with good quality blooms, even as a young plant. 
Pocahontas Lilac

Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Pocahontas'

10-12' (3.6m) x 10-12' (3.6m) 2 Maroon flowerbuds open to single, deep violet flowers This dense, upright Lilac is extremely hardy.  A vigorous bloomer with an abundance of beautiful  flowers.  
Royal Purple Lilac

Syringa x hyacinthiflora   'Royal Purple'

6' (1.75m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 2 Double, purple- blue Dense semi-compact form.
FATHER FIALA'S LILACS        
Atheline Wilbur Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Atheline Wilbur'

6-8' (2.5m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 3 Semi-double, rose-violet  
Avalanche Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Avalanche'

6-8' (2.5m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 3 White Large panicles of single flowers on an upright plant.
Little Boy Blue Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Little Boy Blue'

3-4' (1.25m) x 3-4' (1.25m) 3 Single, special blue  
Marie Frances Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Marie Frances'

5' (1.5m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 3 Shrimp pink, fragrant  
Wedgewood Blue Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Wedgewood Blue'

6' (1.75m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 3 Lilac pink buds,  true blue flowers. Large clusters of fragrant, single flowers.
FRENCH LILACS        
Beauty of Moscow Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Krasavitsa Moskvy'

6-8' (2.5m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 3 Pale pink to  white double flowers   Considered by Lilac experts to be one of the best varieties,  the Beauty of Moscow Lilac is an upright shrub with an abundance of showy flowers blooming in 10" long clusters.
Belle de Nancy Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Belle de Nancy'

6-8' (2.5m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 3 Purple red buds, double pink flowers  
Charles Joly Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly'

6-8' (2.5m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 3 Purple buds open to magenta double flowers A vigorous shrub with an upright form. Dark blue-green foliage turns yellow in fall. Suckering.
Congo Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Congo'

6-8' (2.5m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 3 Single,  deep red  
Glory Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Glory'

6-8' (2.5m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 3 Large, single dark purple  
Katherine Havemeyer Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Katherine Havemeyer'

10-12' (3.6m) x 8-10' (3m) 3 Double, lavender pink Vigorous upright shrub with blue-green foliage.
Madame Lemoine Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Madame Lemoine'

8-10' (3m) x 10' (3m) 3 Double white Suckering shrub with a dense upright form.  Bluish-green foliage turns yellow in fall.  
Monge Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Monge'

10-12' (3.6m) x 8-10' (3m) 3 Single, purple Flowers are borne on long stems and make an attractive bouquet.
Montaigne Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Montaigne'

10-12' (3.6m) x 8-10' (3m) 3 Double, lilac pink  
My Favorite Lilac

Syringa vulgaris   'My Favorite'

10-12' (3.6m) x 8-10' (3m) 3 Double, dark purple  
President Grevy Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'President Grevy'

10-12' (3.6m) x 8-10' (3m) 3 Double, stunning blue This upright shrub has dense bluish-green foliage that turns  yellow in fall.  Suckering.
President Lincoln Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'President Lincoln'

8-10' (3.6m) x 10' (3m) 3 Single, true blue. A vigorous, upright plant.
Primrose Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Primrose'

10-12' (3.6m) x 8-10' (3m) 3 Single, creamy yellow. A suckering variety with dark green foliage growing on an upright plant.
Sensation Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation'

10-12' (3.6m) x 8-10' (3m) 3 Purple florets with white border. A vigorous,  upright shrub with dense,  blue green foliage that turns yellow in fall. Suckering.
PRESTON LILACS        
Charisma Lilac

Syringa x prestoniae 'Charisma'

3-4' (1.25m) x 2-3' (.9m) 2 Dark purple The Charisma Lilac is a non-suckering variety with very dense foliage, making it a good hedge plant.  
Coral Lilac

Syringa x prestoniae 'Coral'

8-10' (3m) x 6-8' (2.5m) 2 Clear pink Light green foliage.
Donald Wyman Lilac

Syringa x prestoniae   'Donald Wyman'

8-10' (3m) x 6-8' (2.5m) 2 Purple buds open to single, red- purple flowers.  Makes an impressive specimen plant with its long clusters of flowers.  A vigorous shrub with a dense, upright form.  The foliage on this non-suckering variety is dark green  turning yellow in fall.    
Minuet Lilac

Syringa x prestoniae 'Minuet'

6-8' (2.5m) x 5-6' (1.75m) 2 Light purple, single  Large dark green leaves on this non-suckering Lilac  turn to bright yellow in fall.  This vigorous, upright  shrub has a dense,  compact form. 
Miss Canada Lilac

Syringa x prestoniae    'Miss Canada'

6-8' (2.5m) x 6-8' (2.5m) 2 Stunning bright pink Masses of showy flowers hang in large clusters, like grapes, from the bush.  It blooms earlier than other Preston Lilacs. The dense foliage of this hardy  shrub is green,  turning to yellow in the fall. Vigorous,  upright growth habit. Non-suckering.  
Royalty Lilac

Syringa x prestoniae 'Royalty'

6-8' (2.5m) x 5-6' (1.8m) 2 Large pyramidal dark purple single blooms An extremely hardy variety with dense, dark leathery leaves.  It has a vigorous  upright growth habit.  Non suckering.
OTHER LILACS        
Common Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

12-15' (4.5m) x 8-12' (3.6m) 2 Fragrant, blue The Common Lilac is a vase shaped shrub with attractive leaves.  It has a vigorous, upright growth habit making it an excellent screen.  Also a good choice for difficult locations.
Dwarf Korean Lilac

Syringa meyeri 'Paliban'

4-5' (1.5m) x 4-5' (1.5m) 3 Dark reddish-purple buds open to soft purple flowers  The  highly fragrant flowers bloom in profusion on this non-suckering variety,  even at a young age.   The uniform, compact shape with  attractive dark green foliage makes the Dwarf Korean Lilac a great choice for hedging.  Needs little pruning.
Miss Kim Lilac

Syringa patula    'Miss Kim'

6-8' (2.5m) x 4-5' (1.5m) 3 Purple buds open to icy lavender purple flowers. This non-suckering, late-bloomer grows slowly in a compact,  upright form. The pointed leaves are dark green, turning burgundy red in fall. The highly fragrant flowers emit an exotic,  somewhat spicy scent. 
Prairie Petite Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Prairie Petite'

3-4' (1.8m) x 3' (1.5m) 3 Single pink, fragrant A dense, compact lilac with upright flowers that is very tolerant of heat & dry conditions.
Sugar Plum Fairy Lilac

Syringa 'Bailsugar' CPBRAF

4-5' (1.5m) x 4-5' (1.5m) 4 Single rosy, fragrant The hardiest of the fairytale lilacs, with compact growth and flowers that bloom one week before Dwarf Korean Lilac.
Tinkerbelle Lilac

Syringa 'Bailbelle'

 5-6' (1.8m) x 4-5' (1.5m) 4 Wine red buds opening to single deep pink flowers, spicy fragrance The Tinkerbelle is a neat plant with a compact, upright growth habit. Good for mass plantings or as a specimen shrub..
Villosa Lilac

Syringa villosa

 8-10' (3m) x 5-6' (1.8m) 2 Light pink blooms on small trusses in June. This non-suckering variety is fast growing and adapts well to dry and exposed locations.

Compiled by Rachel Giesbrecht on July 4, 2005.

 

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