Syringa vulgaris | Common Purple Lilac

DESCRIPTION
Syringa vulgaris, commonly called common lilac, is a deciduous shrub native to the rocky hills of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. It forms a framework of gray-brown stems with opposite, heart-shaped leaves that create a full summer canopy and open, airy branching in winter. It has been grown in temperate gardens for centuries.

In mid to late spring, dense terminal panicles open into dozens of small, four-lobed, intensely fragrant flowers, usually in lilac-purple tones but also appearing in white, pink, and deeper purples in garden selections. After flowering, dry seed capsules follow and the plant’s perfume and classic form make it a traditional choice for borders, screens, and cutting gardens.