What are some good lilac varieties for the garden?
Answer
Lilacs (Syringa spp.) are among the most hardy garden plants. Although many lilac varieties bloom in midspring, commonly around May, there are some early-blooming varieties. Combining early-blooming varieties with later-blooming lilacs will extend the lilac flowering period in your garden.
French Lilacs
These cultivars are all derived from the species Syringa vulgaris.
| Cultivar | Color and Scent |
| 'Andenken an Ludwig Spath' | deep purple |
| 'Charles Joly' | magenta, very fragrant |
| 'Charm' | pink |
| 'Edith Cavell' | white, fragrant |
| 'Henri Robert' | violet |
| 'Marie Legraye' | white |
| 'Miss Ellen Willmott' | white, fragrant |
| 'Mme. Lemoine' | white |
| 'Monique Lemoine' | white |
| 'President Lincoln' | blue, fragrant |
| 'Primrose' | creamy white/yellow |
| 'Ruhm von Horstenstein' | magenta, very fragrant |
| 'Sarah Sands' | purple, fragrant |
| 'Sensation' | deep purple and white |
Hyacinth Lilacs
These are all cultivars of Syringa x hyacinthiflora. Most are early flowering.
| Cultivar | Color and Scent |
| 'Asessippi' | lilac, fragrant |
| 'Blanche Sweet' | blue |
| 'Catinat' | pink, fragrant |
| 'Churchill' | pink |
| 'Excel' | lilac, fragrant |
| 'Mount Baker' | white, fragrant |
| 'Pocahontas' | deep violet |
Other Types of Lilacs
Most are late flowering.
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Color and Scent |
| Syringa meyeri 'Palibin' | meyer lilac | lavender, fragrant |
| Syringa microphylla 'Superba' | little leaf lilac | pink, fragrant |
| Syringa patula 'Miss Kim' | Manchurian lilac | mauve, fragrant |
| Syringa reticulata 'Summer Snow' | Japanese tree lilac | yellow-white |
| Syringa x laciniata | cut-leaf lilac | lavender |
| Syringa x josiflexa 'James Macfarlane' | preston lilac | pink |
| Syringa x prestoniae 'Donald Wyman' | preston lilac | lavender |
For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service
Ask a plant expert
Send us an email or use the question form below.
