Common lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8 to 15 ft tall and 6 to 12 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. Front Range gardening classic. Intensely fragrant late-spring blooms.
On the CSU listmedium water8 to 15 ft tall and 6 to 12 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: no rights reserved
- Photo 2: no rights reserved
- Photo 3: (c) Susan Marley, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 7
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8 to 15 ft tall and 6 to 12 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~12 ft apart (8 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring
- Bloom color
- purple, white, pink
- Bloom length
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Foliage
- Deciduous
What it will do to your yard
- Hedge use
- Informal hedge or screen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Things to know before you plant
- SuckersIt suckers from the base or roots, so remove shoots to keep it in bounds.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Lilac/ash borer
- Powdery mildew (cosmetic, late season)
- Oystershell scale
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Common lilac good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Common lilac is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Common lilac?
- The main things to know: It suckers from the base or roots, so remove shoots to keep it in bounds.
- How big does Common lilac get?
- It matures to about 8 to 15 ft tall and 6 to 12 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Common lilac?
- Space Common lilac about 12 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 8 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Common lilac hardy on the Front Range?
- Common lilac is hardy in USDA 3 to 7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Common lilac need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Common lilac grow?
- Common lilac is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Common lilac native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Common lilac prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Common lilac can be affected by lilac/ash borer and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
- Is Common lilac a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as an informal hedge. Common lilac works best as a relaxed hedge or screen kept to its natural form rather than sheared into a tight box.
- How long does Common lilac bloom?
- Common lilac blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
