Syringa vulgaris ‘Blue Skies’ (Lilac)

Compact, Syringa vulgaris ‘Blue Skies’ is an upright deciduous shrub with very showy racemes of sweetly fragrant, pale lavender-blue, single flowers in late spring. Opening from lilac-pink buds, the dense, arching panicles cover the shrub in a ravishing bicolor display. The open branches are clothed in light green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer. Beautiful in bloom, this French lilac is regarded as one of the best lilacs for warm winter areas. Unlike most lilacs, which require a long period of winter chill for buds to mature and bloom the following spring, Blue Skies needs a light winter chill to put on a great show.

To extend the season of interest of your lilac, grow clematis with different bloom times through its branches to add color and glamour to the shrub. Perfect for sunny mixed borders and small gardens.

• Grows up to 8-10 ft. tall (240-300 cm) and 5-6 ft. wide (150-180 cm).
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in fertile, humus-rich, alkaline to neutral, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Thrives in chalk but dislikes acidic soils. Tolerates light shade, but the best flower production occurs in full sun. Appreciates mulching when planted in full sun. Needs good air circulation.
• No serious insect or disease problems. May get leaf-mining moths, thrips, or be affected by lilac blight
• Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds but is deer resistant.
• Plant as a specimen or massed in mixed shrub borders for dramatic spring blooms. Use it in the perennial border to add structure to a bed. A great flowering shrub that is perfect for flowering hedges or foundation plantings.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings or layering in early summer. Grafting can be done in winter and chip budding in summer.
• Prune immediately after flowering. Prompt removal of faded flowers before seed set will increase the bloom production in the following year. Promptly remove root suckers to maintain a neat appearance and prevent unwanted colonial spread.