{"product_id":"common-lilac","title":"Common Lilac","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCommon Lilac\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eSyringa vulgaris\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eOleaceae\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFull sun (at least 6 hours for best bloom)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature Size: 7–9' wide x similar height (can reach 12–16' if left unpruned)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrought Tolerance: Moderate once established; benefits from deep watering during dry spells in the first two seasons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlower Color: Purple to lavender-blue (white in some forms); (April–June)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWildlife Benefits: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths visit the flowers; caterpillars of several moth species feed on the foliage; dense branching offers cover for birds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb id=\"docs-internal-guid-e2b634fe-7fff-e162-cd58-697d847f6545\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb id=\"docs-internal-guid-cf3bf831-7fff-6eab-bcae-56faf2c85d70\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCommon lilac is native to rocky hillsides in the Balkans and has been in cultivation since the late 1500s, brought to North America by early colonists in the 1600s; it is the parent species behind essentially all modern lilac cultivars. It performs best in colder climates that provide a long winter chill period for flower buds to mature, and it thrives in Spokane's climate and clay-tolerant, well-drained soils, avoiding only strongly acidic or waterlogged sites. It is not fussy about soil type but does need good air circulation and full sun for the best bloom and to reduce disease pressure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eLarge, cone-shaped flower clusters in shades of purple to lavender-blue open in mid-spring, filling the surrounding garden with the classic, powerful lilac fragrance the species is famous for. Heart-shaped, blue-green leaves provide a soft backdrop through the growing season on a multi-stemmed shrub that can become leggy and open with age if not periodically renewed by pruning.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe fragrant flowers are an important nectar source for long-tongued bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and the foliage hosts the caterpillars of several moth species; the shrub's dense branching also provides cover for nesting and roosting birds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA dependable specimen, screen, or informal hedge plant, and one of the most requested shrubs for cut-flower and cottage gardens. For best long-term performance, note for customers: prune immediately after flowering (buds for next year set shortly after bloom, so later pruning sacrifices the following spring's flowers), thin the oldest stems at the base every few years to control legginess and improve airflow, remove rootstock suckers on grafted plants, and watch for powdery mildew, which is common on lilac and worsens with poor air circulation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plants of the Wild","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon","offer_id":51651361013993,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0774\/5440\/9961\/files\/Screenshot2026-08-09163832.png?v=1786318743","url":"https:\/\/www.tanagergreenhouse.com\/products\/common-lilac","provider":"Tanager, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}