Syringa vulgaris 'City of Gresham' 01.jpeg
Syringa vulgaris 'City of Gresham' 02.jpeg
Syringa vulgaris 'City of Gresham' 01.jpeg
Syringa vulgaris 'City of Gresham' 02.jpeg

Syringa vulgaris 'City of Gresham' | City of Gresham Lilac

$0.00

DESCRIPTION
Syringa vulgaris ‘City of Gresham’ is a common lilac selection that blooms in mid to late spring with fragrant, single florets in deep purple to violet tones. Flowers open in full, upright panicles and perfume the air during warm spring afternoons and evenings. Fresh green, heart-shaped leaves follow quickly after bloom and keep the shrub looking full through summer.

‘City of Gresham’ is credited to the lilac hybridizing work associated with Hulda Klager in the Pacific Northwest, and it has long been linked with Gresham, Oregon, where it was later adopted as the city’s official flower. It is grown for reliable spring bloom, classic fragrance, and richly colored panicles in borders and neighborhood plantings.

DESCRIPTION
Syringa vulgaris ‘City of Gresham’ is a common lilac selection that blooms in mid to late spring with fragrant, single florets in deep purple to violet tones. Flowers open in full, upright panicles and perfume the air during warm spring afternoons and evenings. Fresh green, heart-shaped leaves follow quickly after bloom and keep the shrub looking full through summer.

‘City of Gresham’ is credited to the lilac hybridizing work associated with Hulda Klager in the Pacific Northwest, and it has long been linked with Gresham, Oregon, where it was later adopted as the city’s official flower. It is grown for reliable spring bloom, classic fragrance, and richly colored panicles in borders and neighborhood plantings.

  • Family: Oleaceae
    Height: 10 to 15 ft
    Width: 8 to 12 ft
    Foliage color: Deciduous medium green leaves
    Flower color: Deep violet purple
    Bloom Time: Mid spring
    Light requirements: Full sun
    Water requirements: Moderate
    Maintenance: Low to moderate; prune immediately after flowering to shape and remove spent clusters
    Growing zone: USDA zones 3 to 7
    Wildlife attractors: Fragrant blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

    This plant can be seen at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens.

    Print Information

    Buy Plants

  • Works Well In:
    ‍ ‍ ● Sun Gardens
    ‍ ‍ ● Foundation Plantings
    ‍ ‍ ● Fragrant Gardens
    ‍ ‍ ● Pollinator Gardens

    Companion Plants:
         Peonies               Alpine mint bush
         Wallflower           Pampas grass
         Stonecrop           Manzanita

    Design Tip:
    Echo the deep violet-purple flowers of ‘City of Gresham’ with smaller touches of the same color elsewhere in the spring garden. Repeating the hue at different heights creates a visual connection across the planting while allowing the lilac’s large flower panicles to remain the dominant feature.