French Lilac
Syringa vulgaris
The classic fragrant lilac that defines spring with its intoxicating perfume and abundant blooms. These old-fashioned shrubs produce dense clusters of tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, or lavender that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. A must-have for creating nostalgic cottage gardens and cutting gardens.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Paths & Walkways
Zones
3–7
USDA hardiness
Height
8-16 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for French Lilac in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shrub →Zone Map
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French Lilac · Zones 3–7
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Paths & Walkways. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Agincourt Beauty'Large purple flowers with rounded corolla lobes. 'Angel White'Low-chill cultivar with white flowers. 'Josee'Pale purple-pink flowers in spring and again sporadically in the fall. 'Ludwig Spaeth'Dark purple, single blooms. 'Sensation'Purple florets edged in white; corolla lobes pointed. Mid-season bloom., 'Agincourt Beauty', 'Angel White', 'Josee', 'Ludwig Spaeth', 'Sensation'. Propagation: Stem Cutting. Regions: Mountains.
Harvesting
The fruit is a smooth, flattened dehiscent capsule (3/4"), borne in large panicles at the terminal tips of branches. The capsules are initially green but mature to brown and are divided into 2 segments. There are 4 seeds per capsule.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: Flowers can be eaten raw or folded into a batter and fried to make fritters.
History & Origin
Origin: Balkan Peninsula
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Rabbits, Salt
- +Attracts: Attractive Flowers, Attracts Pollinators, Colorful, Fragrance
- +Wildlife value: Lilac attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The nectar of the flowers is food for long-tongued bees, butterflies, and possibly moths. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage.
- +Edible: Flowers can be eaten raw or folded into a batter and fried to make fritters.
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Lavender
Shares similar soil preferences and attracts beneficial pollinators while repelling pests
Rosemary
Thrives in similar well-drained conditions and deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects
Catmint
Attracts beneficial insects and repels rodents that may damage lilac bark
Allium
Natural pest deterrent that protects lilac roots from soil-borne pests and nematodes
Clematis
Uses lilac as natural support structure while adding vertical interest without competing for nutrients
Hostas
Thrives in partial shade cast by mature lilacs and helps retain soil moisture
Daffodils
Blooms before lilac leafs out, repels rodents, and doesn't compete for summer resources
Peonies
Complementary bloom times and similar soil requirements create attractive garden combinations
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can cause yellowing and decline in lilacs
Large Maple Trees
Creates excessive shade and competes aggressively for water and nutrients
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic properties suppress growth of nearby plants including lilacs
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Susceptible to powdery mildew, bacterial blight
Common Pests
Lilac borer, scale insects, leaf miners
Diseases
Powdery mildew, bacterial blight, verticillium wilt