Lilacs

There are many reasons that lilac shrubs are a favorite of home gardeners across the region.  Many of us grew up with lilacs in the garden and just thinking about them recalls nostalgic memories of spending time in the yard. Their intoxicating fragrance announces that spring has arrived and is officially here to stay.  The flowers are great for cutting and attract beautiful butterflies to your garden.  Lilacs are hardy, easy to grow, and low maintenance. Lilacs thrive in even marginal soils and love our intense sun. Unlike many other shrubs, lilacs should be pruned in the summer shortly after they finish blooming. Dormant pruning, while not harmful, impacts blooming the following season.

The common perception of a lilac is a large shrub with purple flowers that bloom for a couple of weeks each year. In actuality, there are many different varieties of lilac that work well for different needs.  Lilacs can be found in many different flower colors including purple, lavender, pink, white, and creamy yellow. Just as the flower color may vary, so can the size.  Depending on the variety, lilacs bushes can grow anywhere from 5 to 15 feet tall.  There are early season and late season blooming varieties as well as the reblooming Bloomerang® collection from Proven Winners that blooms in spring, take a rest, and then bloom again from mid-summer to fall.  Try pairing early, mid, and late season varieties for up to 6 weeks of bloom time!

Fort Collins Nursery has dozens of great lilac varieties to choose from. We have the reblooming Bloomerang®  collection available in purple, dark purple, and pink flower options.  Sensation is an outstanding lilac noted for its large trusses of purple-red florets edged in white. Scent & Sensibility is a compact dwarf lilac that provides a lot of color and fragrance and is perfect for smaller landscapes.  Miss Kim Korean Lilac is an upright, compact, and late blooming lilac that extends your bloom season and is great for a border accent or mass planting. Check out all our great varieties and find one that works best for your space.

Originally published on May 3rd, 2018. Updated on September 5th, 2019.