Home / Guides / Plant Files / Oleaceae

Syringa, Common Lilac, French Lilac 'Old Fashioned'

Syringavulgaris

Upload Image Print Article
Syringa vulgaris by palmbob
Upload Image Print Article
Family
Oleaceae (oh-lee-AY-see-ee)
Info
Genus
Syringa (si-RING-gah)
Info
Species
vulgaris (vul-GAIR-iss)
Info
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Smooth
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Spacing
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Magenta (pink-purple)
Fuchsia (red-purple)
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color

Unknown - Tell us

Where to Grow

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size

Unknown - Tell us

Other details

Unknown - Tell us

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
By grafting
By air layering
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Paradise, California

Ijamsville, Maryland

Jay, Oklahoma

Crowheart, Wyoming

Kinnear, Wyoming

Pavillion, Wyoming

Riverton, Wyoming

show all
View this plant in a garden
6 members have or want this plant for trade

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

Post Comment
1
positive
0
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Post Comment
Sort By:
S
S
Sos07
IJAMSVILLE, MD (Zone 7a) | May 2013 | positive

My lilac has ceased to bloom.I read about cutting back only a few stems,but I will dive in (at this point) and cut back to 2'.When it did...Read More

Popular Plants
SEE ALL
Iris
Peppers
Hydrangeas
Hostas
Contribute to Dave’s Garden
Add a New Plant to the List
Featured
BUG FILES
Bronze Copper
(Lycaena hyllus)
BIRD FILES
White-tailed Kite
(Elanus leucurus)
Quick Links
View All Families
View All Genera
View All Species
Freeze/Frost Dates
PlantFiles FAQ
Plants with no Photos
Contribute to Dave’s Garden
Add a New Plant to the List
Featured
BUG FILES
Bronze Copper
(Lycaena hyllus)
BIRD FILES
White-tailed Kite
(Elanus leucurus)