lilac (purple)
Syringa vulgaris
- Clusters of light purple flowers
- Set amongst smooth, dark green, heart-shaped leaves
- Wonderful scent
The colour is important: White, pink, blue and dark purple are cultivated lilacs, so please do not record them.
Where found
Open, well-drained, unshaded places. Very popular with gardeners. Survives severe cold and thrives in a frost.
When to look for
- Flowers from April through June
Did you know
Lilac was introduced into European gardens at the end of the sixteenth century from Ottoman gardens, not through botanists exploring the Balkan habitats of Syringa vulgaris.