Syringa

Syringa, better known as lilac, is one of those shrubs whose season is easy to recognise. In late spring, dense panicles of small flowers gather along the branches in shades of purple, mauve, pink, white and cream, often accompanied by the rich scent that has made lilacs such familiar garden plants. Syringa vulgaris, the common lilac, is the classic large-growing form, while smaller species and modern hybrids bring the same character into more compact spaces.

Size is worth deciding before colour. Traditional lilac shrubs can become substantial with age and are well placed towards the back of a border, in a shrubbery or where their spring flowers can be seen against open space. More compact lilacs fit more easily among perennials and can even be grown in containers. Most perform best in full sun, where flowering is strongest, and prefer fertile, well-drained soil that is neutral to alkaline, although many will tolerate a slightly wider range of conditions.

Once flowering has passed, the green foliage gives the lilac shrub a quieter role for the rest of the season. Pruning is generally light and, where shaping is needed, is best carried out soon after flowering so that the following year’s display is not removed. Choose several Syringa varieties with different flowering times and growth habits and the lilac season can extend beyond the familiar May flush, while still keeping fragrance, flower form and spring timing at the heart of the planting.