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Common lilac
Also known as: French lilac
Common lilac is a shrub native to the Balkan Peninsula that blooms with a fragrant blossom. It grows on rocky terrain and has a suckering habit. The blossoms are used to flavor honey, sugars, food, and other delights and farmed for its fragrant flowers in the spring.
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Perennial
Lifespan
Shrub, Tree
Plant Type
Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer
Bloom Time
Mid spring, Late spring
Harvest Time
6 m to 7 m
Plant Height
1.8 m to 3.5 m
Spread
Green
Leaf Color
6 mm to 1 cm
Flower Size
Brown, Copper
Fruit Color
Pink, Purple, White, Blue, Red, Violet, Cream, Lavender
Flower Color
Green, Brown, Pink, Blue
Stem Color
Winter dormancy
Dormancy
Deciduous
Leaf type
5 - 35 ℃
Ideal Temperature
Spring
Growth Season
Moderate
Growth Rate

Images of Common lilac

Distribution of Common lilac

Distribution Map
Common lilac is native to the Balkan region of Europe, where it can be found growing on rocky hillsides. This plant has also been cultivated throughout much of the world as an ornamental.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Introduced
No species reported
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Habitat
Scrub on rocky hill slopes, hedges, thickets, shrubberies
Hemisphere Trend Curve
Flowering
Fruiting

Culture

Garden Use
The common lilac is found in many gardens of colder climates, and is valued for its fragrance as well as its luscious pop of purple and use as a transition flower, blooming right before the slew of roses and other summer flowers. The common lilac works wonderfully for hedges, screens, or even standalone pieces in small gardens. Peonies, tulips, and daffodils provide beautiful contrast when planted around it.
Symbolism
Exorcism, Protection, renewal, the coming of spring
Interesting Facts
Some 700 years ago, Serbian king Uros I Nemanjic planted common lilac over an entire river valley to welcome his soon-to-be wife, the French princess Helen of Anjou. The Ibar river valley is still known as the Valley of Lilacs.
Name Story
Common lilac: The word lilac can be traced back to the Turkish language "leylak", which probably originated from the name of this plant in the Balkans. Now, "lilac" can refer to an aroma or a pale violet color. While Syringa vulgaris flowers are purple and fragrant, it is also called common lilac.
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Quickly Identify Common lilac

1
Fragrant panicles of flowers with hues from white to pink and purple, up to 7 inches (18 cm) long.
2
Heart-shaped leaves, 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) in length, dark grey-green to blue-green, with visible veins.
3
Smooth, flattened fruit capsules, around 3/4 inch (2 cm) wide, splitting into two segments with four seeds each.
4
Stout, angled stem with 4-sided shape on newer growth, lustrous brown, reaching lengths of 2 feet (60 cm) or more.
5
Light grey-brown bark with raised lenticels, leaf scars, slightly rough texture; distinctive among deciduous shrubs.
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Care Guide for Common lilac

Every 1-2 weeks
Water
Full sun
Sunlight
5 - 35 ℃
Ideal Temperature
Water: Common lilac thrives with moderate moisture and consistent hydration, requiring watering every 1-2 weeks while allowing the topsoil to dry. Drought-tolerant to an extent, its water needs increase in spring and early summer to support flowering during active growth.
Fertilize: Caring for common lilac requires annual fertilization in early spring using a balanced 10-10-10 mix at 1/2 pound per 100 square feet. Reduce feed in late fall and avoid direct stem contact while watering thoroughly post-application to ensure optimal growth and blooms.
Pruning: Common lilac is a deciduous shrub with fragrant blooms. Prune in late spring post-flowering, removing dead wood and thinning older stems to boost growth. Rejuvenate overgrown plants by cutting one-third of the oldest stems annually. This promotes air circulation, reduces disease, and enhances flowering.
Propagation: Common lilac can be propagated by using healthy semi-wood cuttings from new growth. Trim below a leaf node, remove lower leaves, and apply rooting hormone. Plant in well-draining soil, maintaining consistent moisture and indirect sunlight for successful root development and growth.
Repotting: Common lilac requires excellent drainage in pots to thrive and prevent root rot. Ensuring proper soil composition and pot design is essential for optimal growth and health.
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