Lilac Tree Care and Propagation

The Lilac Tree (Syringa) is a fully hardy deciduous small tree. It's claim to fame is the mass of flowers it produces in mid to late Spring. Most of the flowers have a delicious scent - powerful but not over-powering. The majority of lilac trees have dark green leaves.

Once established, the Lilac Tree requires little care and rarely suffers from pests and disease.

They prefer a full sun position on a reasonably fertile soil. Their preference is for a chalky clay soil but they will tolerate most soils except those which are acidic. Easy to grow, this is a largish shrub for the expert and amateur gardener.

Key Lilac Tree Facts

Botanical Name Syringa

Common Name Lilac tree

Type Deciduous spring flowering shrub

Size
(after 5 years) After 10 years
4.5m x 3m
15ft x 10ft

Position Full sun but tolerates partial shade.

Soil Best in chalky clay, but OK in most non-acidic soils.

Hardy Very

Flower Several colours, lilac, white, pink

Foliage Dark green

Scent Yes - delicious

Season of
Interest Mid to late spring

Propagate Semi-ripe cuttings in late July, click here for semi-ripe cutting article.

Lilac Trees thrive in town gardens and are normally grown as specimen or border plants. They originate from East Asia and South East Europe. The picture above is of the Lilac Tree Syringa vulgaris.

Which Variety of Lilac Tree?
We rate these three Lilac Trees highly. Click the pictures to enlarge them.

Syringa vulgaris - any variety
There are several varieties of Syringa vulgaris and they are all as good as each other, it's a matter of preference as far as colour goes. We recommend Syringa vulgaris Charles Joly as a good example of the traditional dark purple Lilac Tree. It produces masses of deliciously scented, double flowers from early to late spring

Click here if you want buy Syringa vulgaris Charles Joly online in the UK.

Lilac vulgaris Madame Lemoine, click picture to enlarge

The absolute whitest flowers you will ever see. Syringa vulgaris Madame Lemoine produce lots of pure white, double, scented flowers. A classic Lilac Tree beauty. Strong enough to support a late flowering clematis which prolongs the flowering interest.

Click here if you want buy Syringa vulgaris Madame Lemoine online in the UK.

Lilac vulgaris lavendar blue, click picture to enlarge

Syringa vulgaris Katherine Havemeyer produces lots of lavender blue flowers on a spreading Lilac Tree. The traditional Lilac Tree scent is freely produced.
Produces flowers from early to late spring.

Click here if you want buy Syringa vulgaris Katherine Havemeyer online in the UK.

CLICK HERE FOR NEXT LILAC TREE PAGE
(how to care, plant and prune a lilac tree)

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