Syringa vulgaris
Common Lilac

Syringa vulgaris - Overall Shrub in Summer

Family:

Oleaceae (Olive Family) 45

Genus:

Syringa (Lilac Tree Lilac) 14

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Upright 574

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 233

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

Multi-Colored (Extremely fragrant, white, pink, reddish, or purple, 8" long flower panicles in May)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Summer foliage; poor fall color)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Beaked, dehiscent capsule; not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

8-15 feet

Ultimate Spread:

6-12 feet

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Optimum soil is neutral or slightly alkaline

Range:

Southeastern Europe

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves simple, ovate or broad-ovate, and 2-5" long with truncate to subcordate base. Large green and reddish-brown double terminal buds. Leaf scars are raised. Angled buds and stems. Stems have raised lenticels.

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Lilac

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 354

Fragrant Flowers 190

Border 395

Specimen 630

Notable Texture 282

Additional Information

A difficult species to use in a functional way. Best for seasonal color and fragrance in the border or as an occasional specimen. Deadheading can promote flowering and prevent alternate bearing. Will get leggy without pruning (prune on a 3-year cycle). Powdery mildew is an increasingly serious problem the further south this is planted in its hardiness zone. Grows better in colder climates.

Plant Photo Gallery

Overall Shrub in Summer

Leaf

Bark

Foliage

Flower Clusters

Flower

Bark

Buds

Winter Habit

Flowers

When Syringa vulgaris has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

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Fruiting

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Week 1 fruiting not present	Week 2 fruiting not present	Week 3 fruiting not present	Week 4 fruiting not present	Week 5 fruiting not present	Week 6 fruiting not present	Week 7 fruiting not present	Week 8 fruiting not present	Week 9 fruiting not present	Week 10 fruiting not present	Week 11 fruiting not present	Week 12 fruiting not present	Week 13 fruiting not present	Week 14 fruiting not present	Week 15 fruiting not present	Week 16 fruiting not present	Week 17 fruiting not present	Week 18 fruiting not present	Week 19 fruiting not present	Week 20 fruiting not present	Week 21 fruiting not present	Week 22 fruiting not present	Week 23 fruiting not present	Week 24 fruiting not present	Week 25 fruiting not present	Week 26 fruiting not present	Week 27 fruiting present	Week 28 fruiting present	Week 29 fruiting present	Week 30 fruiting present	Week 31 fruiting present	Week 32 fruiting present	Week 33 fruiting present	Week 34 fruiting not present	Week 35 fruiting present	Week 36 fruiting not present	Week 37 fruiting not present	Week 38 fruiting present	Week 39 fruiting present	Week 40 fruiting not present	Week 41 fruiting not present	Week 42 fruiting not present	Week 43 fruiting not present	Week 44 fruiting not present	Week 45 fruiting not present	Week 46 fruiting not present	Week 47 fruiting not present	Week 48 fruiting not present	Week 49 fruiting not present	Week 50 fruiting not present	Week 51 fruiting not present	Week 52 fruiting not present

12 Syringa vulgaris found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2010_08629*A	PVAB
2	2009_12140*A	LILY
3	2009_11449*A	AHF
4	2009_11450*A	AHF
5	2009_12559*A	HERL
6	2009_13517*A	HORTPARK
7	2009_11448*A	AHF
8	2026_00021*A	UNIV
9	2026_00021*B	UNIV
10	2026_00021*C	UNIV
11	2026_00021*D	UNIV
12	2026_00021*E	UNIV