Syringa Vulgaris, Common Lilac Tree, Shrub, and Vine Identification Fact Sheet

This is the tree, shrub, and vine identification project fact sheet for Syringa vulgaris, common lilac. This fact sheet may not be copied in part or in whole and submitted as one's own project, but may be cited as a source of facts during one's own research. See tree, shrub, and vine identification project main page for links to other plants, and Deciduous shrubs and small trees slideshow for pictures.

Plant Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris

Common Name: Common Lilac

Family Name: Oleaceae

Plant is Native to What Country: Southern Europe

Plant Height at Maturity: 8-20 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide.

Plant Habit and Form: Upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrubs of a medium growth rate and texture, often growing basal suckers freely.

Foliage: Ovate leaves simple, dark green, arranged opposite on stems growing 2-4 inches long and 1.5-3.5 inches wide.

Bark: Smooth light gray bark on young and mature stems. Bark on old stems can become flaky and peel off in papery strips or flakes.

Flower: Flowers conspicuous, purple, very fragrant, borne on large terminal panicles. Panicles 2-4 inches wide and 4-8 inches long. Bloom time is early-late May.

Fruit/Seed: Fruit are beaked capsules maturing the first year, on the flower panicles.

Growing Requirements: Common Lilac prefers a well-drained location in full sun with soil slightly acidic. Plants can be pruned after flowering. Removing the spent panicles fosters better plant health and vigor.

Problems and Drawbacks: Lilac is affected by powdery mildew, caterpillars, aphids, and scale.

Special Uses: Lilac is valued for its fragrant showy flowers. Plants have attractive foliage and form, can be picturesque with age.

ID Tips/Remarks: Buds are greenish brown with few scales.

Bibliography: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/s/syrvul/syrvul1.html, http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=SYVU