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Syringa vulgaris ‘Yankee Doodle’ (Lilac)

Syringa 'Yankee Doodle', Lilac 'Yankee Doodle', French Lilac 'Yankee Doodle'

Syringa vulgaris 'Yankee Doodle',Syringa 'Yankee Doodle', Lilac 'Yankee Doodle', Purple lilac, Fragrant Lilac, Purple Flowers, Fragrant Shrub, Fragrant Tree

Among the darkest purple lilacs, Syringa vulgaris ‘Yankee Doodle’ (Lilac) is an upright, deciduous shrub with incredibly showy panicles, 8 in. long (20 cm), packed with wonderfully fragrant, single, deep purple flowers. Blooming in late spring, the abundant blossoms last 3-4 weeks and make a dramatic display. The erect, open branches are clothed in blue-green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer. 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.

  • Grows up to 8 ft. tall (240 cm) and 6-8 ft. wide (180-240 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.

How to Plant, Grow and Care for Lilac Bushes


Learn how to grow lush, healthy, and gorgeous Lilacs

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Oleaceae
Genus Syringa
Common names Lilac
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Height 7' - 8'
(210cm - 240cm)
Spread 6' - 8'
(180cm - 240cm)
Spacing 96" (240cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
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, Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Syringa josikaea (Hungarian Lilac)
Syringa Baby Kim (Lilac)
Syringa x hyacinthiflora Scentara Pura® (Early Flowering Lilac)
Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Royal Purple’ (Early Flowering Lilac)
Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Angel White’ (Early Flowering Lilac)
Syringa vulgaris ‘Blue Skies’ (Lilac)

Recommended Companion Plants

Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox)
Myrtus communis (Common Myrtle)
Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ (Cranesbill)
Clematis – Late Large-Flowered Group

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Add a Splash of Color: Perfect Flowering Shrubs for Small Gardens
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
30 Best Spring Flowers to Spruce up Your Garden
How to Create an Enchanting Butterfly Garden
For the Love of Butterflies: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
6 Reasons You Should Create a Butterfly Garden
Syringa vulgaris (Common Lilac)
How to Plant, Grow and Care for Lilac Bushes
Edible Flowers: 16 Varieties to Beautify Your Garden and Plate
Syringa x hyacinthiflora (Early Flowering Lilac)
Wonderful Lilacs for the Upper South Region
Blooming Seasons of Lilacs
Great Companion Plants For Your Lilacs
Wonderful Lilacs for the Lower South Region
Wonderful Lilacs for the Middle South Region
Pretty Lilacs for Small Gardens
Plants with Pink Flowers to Add Romance to Your Garden
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Oleaceae
Genus Syringa
Common names Lilac
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Height 7' - 8'
(210cm - 240cm)
Spread 6' - 8'
(180cm - 240cm)
Spacing 96" (240cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
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, Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Syringa (Lilac)
Guides with
Syringa (Lilac)
Not sure which Syringa (Lilac) to pick?
Compare Now

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