Vigorous southeast European deciduous shrub with dense conical panicles of small intensely fragrant lilac, purple, white, or pink flowers in late spring. The signature fragrance of cottage gardens worldwide.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 3–7 | −40 °C to −12.2 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 3–7 | −34 °C to −7 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–4 | −15 °C to 5 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Plant where the fragrance can be enjoyed close at hand — pour out the strongest fragrance of any common spring shrub
- Needs winter chilling to flower well — unreliable in mild climates, best in zones 7 and cooler
- Suckers freely on its own roots — grafted plants stay tighter, own-root specimens form thickets
- Cut back hard after flowering for a strong next-year bloom — flowers on previous year’s wood
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Common lilac against your zones