Common Purple Lilac

Common Purple Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)

Bloom time: May - June

Additional photos:

• Syringa vulgaris after mid bloom
  credit: Elisabeth Beaubien
• Syringa vulgaris just before first leaf
  credit: Elisabeth Beaubien

General: A non-native garden shrub, brought to Canada from Europe, it can grow up to 4 m high and 7 m wide.

Leaves & Twigs: Heart-shaped leaves are smooth and appear before the flowers bloom.

Flowers & Fruits:

• Small fragrant flowers (florets) grow in clusters 10-20 cm long.
• Flowers of common purple lilac can vary in colour (depending on the variety).

Habitat: Lilac bushes grow where they have been planted, such as in parks and gardens; but this introduced plant does not grow successfully in the arctic.

PlantWatch Pointers: If possible, select a lilac bush that has pale to medium purple flower buds. Choose a location at least 10 m away from a building or obstacle, and tag a typical shrub for observation.

To Observe:

• First bloom: when the first florets are open on the observed shrub (3 places).
• Mid bloom: when 50% of the florets are open on the observed shrub.
• Leafing: when the first leaves push out of the bud and unfold completely (3 places).

Distribution Map:



This species is monitored in:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Common purple lilac was one of the plants most commonly brought to Canada by homesick settlers. Bushes still can be seen thriving near abandoned pioneer homesteads.