Common lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–15 ft tall and 6–12 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. Front Range gardening classic. Intensely fragrant late-spring blooms.
On the CSU listmedium water8–15 ft tall and 6–12 ft wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Syringa vulgaris
- Variety / cultivar
- 'President Grévy', 'Ludwig Spaeth', 'Charles Joly'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 8–15 ft tall and 6–12 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~12 ft apart (8 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hedge use
- Informal hedge or screen
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–7
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
- Bloom color
- purple, white, pink
- Bloom time
- late spring
- Pollinator value
- high
Things to know before you plant
- SuckersIt suckers from the base or roots, so remove shoots to keep it in bounds.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
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 8–15 ft tall and 6–12 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 3–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–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 deer-resistant?
- Common lilac is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Common lilac a good firewise plant near the house?
- Common lilac is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- 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.
