Shrub · Oleaceae family
common lilac
Syringa vulgaris
In short a 10-second read
Common lilac (shrub) grows to 2.4–5 m tall and 1.8–3.6 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil. It flowers in May; the flowers are purple, white, pink or yellow. Hardy to −40 °C.
× spread 1.8–3.6 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil. Hardy to −40 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, humus-rich, loamy
Soil pH 6–8
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May · purple, white, pink or yellow
Pruning
deadhead spent flowers (May–June)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −40 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does common lilac flower?
In May; the flowers are purple, white, pink or yellow.
Does common lilac tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does common lilac need?
At maturity 1.8–3.6 m wide and 2.4–5 m tall; recommended spacing 300 cm.
Does common lilac survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (17)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Syringa vulgaris
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Syringa vulgaris
- Van den Berk Nurseries (NL), škôlkarsky katalóg — Syringa vulgaris
- EUR-Lex — vykonávacie nariadenie
- Slov-lex — nariadenie vlády SR č. 449/2019 Z. z.
- BfN (Bundesamt für Naturschutz) — Naturschutzfachliche Invasivitätsbewertung
- EASIN (JRC Európskej komisie) — katalóg nepôvodných druhov
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Syringa vulgaris
- Wikidata (CC0) — Syringa vulgaris
- RHS - Syringa vulgaris
- RHS - Shrubs and trees: light pruning
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- frankpmatthews.com
- frankpmatthews.com
- frankpmatthews.com
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