How to Grow and Care for Common lilac

Common lilac, also known as Lilac, French lilac, Lilac tree

Common lilac is recognized for its low maintenance and resilience, making it suitable for gardeners of various experience levels. Key care considerations include ensuring full sun exposure for optimal blooming and well-drained soil to prevent root rot. Pruning is an essential care point; it’s best done right after flowering to shape the plant and promote vigorous growth for the following season.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Common lilac

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil pH	6-7
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	5-9

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Varieties of Common lilac

Common lilac 'Maiden's Blush'

Common lilac 'Maiden's Blush' produces fragrant, pink flowers that do best when grown in full sun. This plant's flowers bloom up to a week and a half earlier than most lilac cultivars and may be used in mixed shrub borders or as flowering hedges for dramatic effect. Common lilac 'Maiden's Blush' was developed by Frank Skinner from Dropmore, Manitoba, Canada, in 1966.

Common lilac 'Declaration'

Common lilac 'Declaration' is an early-flowering lilac developed by Don Egolf at the National Arboretum in the United States. It is a cross of the Sweet Charity and Pocahontas variants. It blooms earlier than most lilacs and produces an abundance of purple-red single blooms with a fine fragrance.

Common lilac 'Charles Joly'

Common lilac 'Charles Joly' is a popular cultivar of Syringa vulgaris, prized for its large, double flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. Its fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies. The plant is toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation. This lilac is a great addition to any garden for a pop of color and sweet-smelling aroma.

Common lilac 'Monge'

A large French lilac cultivar, the common lilac 'Monge' grows up to 3.5 m tall and wide. Introduced in 1913 by Émile Lemoine, this cultivar celebrates 18th-century French mathematician Gaspard Monge. With richly scented flowers, the common lilac 'Monge' can form beautiful mixed shrub borders, hedges, or foundation plantings.

Common lilac 'Beauty of Moscow'

The common lilac 'Beauty of Moscow' is a quickly growing cultivar that blooms very fragrant double flowers. Leonid Kolesnikov crossbred the 'I.V. Michturin' and the 'Belle de Nancy' to develop the common lilac 'Beauty of Moscow'. Kolesnikov named the common lilac 'Beauty of Moscow' to celebrate his Russian heritage. The common lilac 'Beauty of Moscow' is a great cut flower resistant to pests, disease, and weather.

Common Pests & Diseases

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More General Info About Common lilac

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Quickly Identify Common lilac

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Common lilac is distinguished by its perfumed panicles of flowers blooming in late spring. These blossoms, ranging from single to double forms, exhibit hues from white to various shades of pink and purple. The flowers, dense and showy, can reach lengths of up to 7 inches (18 cm), emitting a strong, sweet scent. Its foliage, comprised of heart-shaped leaves up to 5 inches (13 cm) long, turns from vibrant green to yellowish in the fall. Typically, common lilac grows as a bushy shrub or small tree up to 15 feet (4.5 m) tall.