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Common Lilac
Syringa vulgaris · Shrub
Common Lilac is a moderate-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 3-7, that matures to about 12–16 ft × 8–12 ft. It does best in full sun with medium water needs in well-drained and moist soil. Expect blue, cream and pink blooms in spring. It attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, stands up well to deer, rabbits and salt and grows happily in containers.
- USDA zones
- 3-7
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Medium
- Mature size
- 12–16 ft × 8–12 ft
- Spacing
- 6–12 ft
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Maintenance
- Medium
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist
- Foliage
- Blue, Silver, Green
- Bloom color
- Blue, Cream, Pink, Purple, White
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Pollinators
- Tough against
- Deer, Rabbits, Salt
- Watch out for
- Frequent disease problems
- Native to
- Southeastern Europe
Will it survive your winters?
We score Common Lilac’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.
Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.
More plants for your zone: Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7
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