Types of Lilac Bushes

Lilac is a genus of about 20 to 25 species of flowering plants. The genus lilac is also known as Syringa and the plants of this genus belong to the family of Oleaceae or olive family. The lilac plants are woody and deciduous shrubs or small trees, which can reach a height of 2 to 10 m. The flowers of the lilac shrubs and bushes are extraordinarily fragrant and attractive, which is why lilacs are the favorite bushes for gardening and landscaping. The lilac flowers appear in large panicles from spring to early summer. They come in an array of colors, right from purple, pink, blue, burgundy to pale yellow, creamy white and pure white. There are more than 1000 varieties of lilac bush and so, it is beyond the scope of this article to cover all of them.

Different Varieties of Lilac Bushes

Common Lilac
Common lilac or Syringa vulgaris is a widely used ornamental plant in many gardens and parks. Common lilac is basically a deciduous shrub that can grow up to a height of about 6 m to 7 m. The flowers of common lilac are highly fragrant and truly add warmth to a garden or landscape. Today, several cultivars of common lilac are available for gardening and landscaping purposes, which can produce blossoms of many different colors, ranging from dark lilac and mauve to white.

Japanese Lilac
The scientific name of Japanese lilac is Syringa reticulata, which is native to the regions of Eastern Asia, Japan, Northern China and Korea. The blossoms of Japanese lilac are known for their strong, but pleasing fragrance. This lilac plant can reach a height of 36 feet and is the largest lilac variety, for which it is considered by many as a lilac tree and not shrub. The flowers of Japanese lilac are usually white or creamy white in color and they appear in the month of May.

Persian Lilac
Persian Lilac is a hybrid variety of the Syringa laciniata and Syringa afghanica species, and is native to the Asian countries. Persian lilac plant is much shorter as compared to the other lilac bushes. It usually reaches a height of 5 feet. The Persian lilac blossoms can be dark or pale lavender to white in color. The white Persian lilac can look really amazing with the fragrant, creamy white flowers against a background of dark green foliage.

French Lilac
French lilac or Syringa vulgaris is a deciduous shrub, which can attain a height of 8 to 15 feet with stiff and ascending branches. The bright blooms of French lilac can be white, creamy white, pink or purple in color. The flowers are very fragrant and bloom in the spring. The French lilac bush can also be distinguished by their heart-shaped foliage of dark green or blue-green color.

Beauty of Moscow
Beauty of Moscow is considered by many as one of the most beautiful varieties of this plant species. The plant usually grows to a height of 10 to 12 feet. 'Beauty of Moscow' is a favorite lilac among the gardeners, basically for its beautiful delicate blossoms of pale pink or white color. The flowers begin as small pearl like pink colored buds and then gradually become white, as they open up. The flowers of beauty of Moscow are also known for their sweet, pleasing fragrance.

Chinese Lilac
Chinese lilac is another lovely and attractive lilac bush to have in a flower garden or landscape. It is a large shrub, which displays flowers of lilac purple color in the spring, usually early in the month of May. Like many other lilac bushes, the blossoms of Chinese lilac are also loved for their fragrance.

Early Lilac
Early lilac or Syringa oblata is a deciduous shrub, growing to a height of about 10 to 12 feet. The blossoms are fragrant and they appear in late spring. The flowers of early lilac are usually white or pale purple in color and they appear in clusters. The leaves of this lilac bush are oval-shaped, and dark green or blue-green in color.

Hungarian Lilac
Hungarian lilac is native to the regions of Eastern and Central Europe including, Hungary, Romania and Ukraine. The scientific name of this lilac shrub is Syringa josikaea. Hungarian lilac plant can grow up to a height of about 2 m to 4 m, and produce strongly fragrant blossoms of dark pink color.

Apart from these, some other extraordinarily beautiful and widely popular lilac bushes for gardening and landscaping are, lavender lady, maiden's blush, Meyer lilac, Himalayan lilac, dwarf Korean lilac, President Lincoln lilac, Katherine havemeyer lilac, primrose lilac, sensation lilac and Congo lilac. No matter what kind of lilac you choose to grow, just keep in mind that almost all lilac plants need full sun to bloom profusely. Lilac plants prefer alkaline, lighter and well-drained soil. As far as pruning is concerned, this can be done at the end of the blooming period. Lilac bushes are some of the most beautiful plants available for adorning your garden. With proper care, they can bloom profoundly to add beauty and warmth to your garden.