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Blooming Seasons of Lilacs

Syringa meyeri, Syringa oblata, Syringa pubescens, Syringa vulgaris, Syringa x hyacinthiflora, Syringa reticulata, Syringa x laciniata, Syringa x persica, Syringa x prestoniae

Lilac seasons, Lilac blooming season, Lilac bloom times, Earlt Lilac, Late blooming lilac, Fragrant Shrubs, Small Shrubs, Syringa vulgaris, Common Lilac, Dwarf Lilacs, Reblooming Lilacs

A lilac in full bloom, with its heavenly fragrance, is a breathtaking sight. A mainstay of the spring landscape in northern and colder climates, lilacs are one of the most effective flowering shrubs. Easy to grow, tough as nails, deer resistant, and relatively free from major pests, these hardy shrubs have been tailored to meet the needs of all gardens.

  • Depending on where you live and the lilac varieties you choose, lilacs can provide color and fragrance from April through June. By selecting carefully, it is possible to have two months of spring blooms, particularly if the weather is cool. A warm spring will, however, bring flowers out ahead of schedule, shortening the blooming season by a few weeks.
  • For the earliest blooms, choose Syringa x hyacinthiflora (Hyacinth Syringa): they burst into bloom in mid-spring, about 7-10 days earlier than Syringa vulgaris (Common Lilac).
  • Common Lilac is the longest blooming species, lasting a month depending on the cultivar and region. Typically blooming in late spring, it offers the largest flowers with the best fragrance.
  • Extend the lilac season to summer with species such as Littleleaf lilac (Syringa microphylla) and Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata).
  • If your space is limited and you cannot enjoy several lilac varieties, you may want to choose a reblooming lilac. These lilac shrubs do not only bloom in spring for a few fleeting weeks. They prolong their presence as they repeat bloom in summer and fall, bringing their wonderful color and scent to the garden.
  • The best time to plant lilacs is in the fall after the leaves have dropped but before the ground freezes. You can plant lilacs in the spring before the buds start to unfold. But lilacs planted in the fall usually have a better chance to survive because new roots get a head start in spring before the shrub leafs out.

Guide Information

Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Syringa
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Landscaping Ideas Small Gardens

Early Blooming Lilacs

Midseason Blooming Lilacs

Syringa Meyeri 'Palibin', Lilac 'Palibin', Meyer Lilac 'Palibin', Dwarf Korean Lilac, Pink Lilac, Purple lilac
Syringa Pubescens Subsp. Patula 'Miss Kim', Lilac 'Miss Kim', Syringa Patula (Palibin) Nakai 'Miss Kim', Syringa Patula 'Miss Kim', Manchurian Lilac 'Miss Kim'
Syringa x chinensis 'Lilac Sunday', Chinese Lilac 'Lilac Sunday', Purple lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Purple Flowers, Fragrant Shrub, Fragrant Tree
Syringa x laciniata', Cutleaf Lilac, Feathered Persian Lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Purple Flowers, Fragrant Shrub, Fragrant Tree, Purple Lilac
Syringa x persica', Persian Lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Purple Flowers, Fragrant Shrub, Fragrant Tree, Purple Lilac

Late Blooming Lilacs

Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla 'Superba', Very Little Leaf Lilac 'Superba', Lilac 'Superba', Syringa microphylla 'Superba', Fragrant Shrub, Pink Lilac, Pink Flowers
Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk', Japanese Tree Lilac 'Ivory Silk', Lilac Tree, Yellow Flowers, White Flowers, Fragrant LilacAward General
Syringa reticulata, Japanese Tree Lilac, Lilac Tree, Yellow Flowers, White Flowers, Fragrant Lilac
Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis 'Beijing Gold',Pekin Lilac 'Beijing Gold', Chinese Tree Lilac 'Beijing Gold', Syringa pekinensis 'Beijing Gold', Pekin Lilac 'Zhang Zhiming', Chinese Tree Lilac 'Zhang Zhiming', Syringa pekinensis 'Zhang Zhiming', Yellow lilac, Fragrant Lilac,
Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis 'China Snow',Pekin Lilac 'China Snow', Chinese Tree Lilac 'China Snow', Syringa pekinensis 'China Snow', Pekin Lilac 'Morton', Chinese Tree Lilac 'Morton', Syringa pekinensis 'Morton', Yellow lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Yellow Flowers, Fragrant Tree
Syringa reticulata subsp. reticulata 'Snowdance',  Japanese Tree Lilac 'Snowdance', Syringa reticulata subsp. reticulata 'Bailnce', Lilac Tree, Yellow Flowers, White Flowers, Fragrant Lilac
Syringa x prestoniae 'Miss Canada', Preston Lilac 'Miss Canada', Syringa 'Miss Canada', Pink lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Pink Flowers, Fragrant Shrub, Fragrant Tree

Reblooming Lilacs

Syringa Josee, Lilac 'Josee', Syringa 'Morjos 060f', Syringa vulgaris 'Josee' , Bicolor Lilac, Pink lilac, Fragrant Lilac
Syringa Bloomerang Dark Purple, Lilac Bloomerang Dark Purple, Bicolor Lilac, Purple lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Syringa x SMSJBP7
Syringa Bloomerang Dwarf Pink, Lilac Bloomerang Dwarf Pink, Bicolor Lilac, Pink lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Syringa x 'SMNJRPI'
Syringa Bloomerang Dwarf Purple, Lilac Bloomerang Dwarf Purple, Bicolor Lilac, Purple lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Syringa x 'SMNJRPU'
Syringa Bloomerang Pink Perfume, Lilac Bloomerang Pink Perfume, Bicolor Lilac, Pink lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Syringa x SMSJBP7
Syringa Bloomerang Purple, Lilac Bloomerang Purple, Bicolor Lilac, Purple lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Syringa x 'Penda'
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Syringa
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Landscaping Ideas Small Gardens
Compare All Syringa
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Syringa
Guides with
Syringa

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