Heidi Norton
Lilacs are cherished for their enchanting fragrance and colourful blooms, making them a wonderful addition to any garden. They are low-maintenance and easy to grow, thriving in full sun and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. While some lilacs grow into trees, others are shrubs or bushes, and they come in a variety of colours, including lilac, purple, pink, blue, yellow, and white. Some lilacs are more fragrant than others, with the Syringa Vulgaris varieties being particularly renowned for their scent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Varieties | Syringa vulgaris ‘President Grevy’, Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’, Syringa vulgaris ‘Krasavitsa Moskvy’ (Beauty of Moscow), Syringa vulgaris ‘Miss Kim’, Syringa vulgaris ‘Charles Joly’, Syringa vulgaris ‘Primrose’, Tinkerbelle, Virtual Violet, Bloomerang, ‘Angel White’, ‘Wedgwood Blue’, ‘Adelaide Dunbar’ |
| Colours | Light bluish-purple, blue-lavender, purple with white edges, double white with a slight pink hue, lavender-pink, magenta-pink, deep purple, violet, pale creamy yellow and white, warm pink, purple, violet, blue, white, purple |
| Growing conditions | Full sun, moist, well-drained soil |
| Height | 5-20 feet tall depending on the variety |
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What You'll Learn
The best fragrant lilacs for your garden
Lilacs are cherished for their enchanting fragrance and vibrant colours, making them a delightful addition to any garden. They are low-maintenance and easy to grow, requiring full sun and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Here are some of the most fragrant lilac varieties to consider for your garden:
Syringa Vulgaris ‘President Grevy’
This classic favourite offers double blooms in a light bluish-purple hue, with heart-shaped green leaves that have a bluish tint. It is known for its wonderful scent and attractive foliage.
Syringa Vulgaris ‘Sensation’
First introduced in 1938, this variety is unique for its bicolor deep-purple petals edged in white, growing on tall shrubs. It has a strong fragrance and is a stunning addition to any garden.
Syringa Vulgaris ‘Krasavitsa Moskvy’ (Beauty of Moscow)
This variety tends to grow into a tree shape and is known for its enchanting fragrance. It has large, blue-lavender blooms that fill the garden with a rich lilac scent.
Syringa Vulgaris ‘Miss Kim’
A dwarf Korean lilac, this variety produces lavender-pink flowers with a highly fragrant scent, often described as a spicy-sweet combination. It is perfect for smaller gardens or containers.
Syringa ‘Bailbridget’ (Virtual Violet)
An exciting hybrid with purple stems and violet-tinted leaves, this variety boasts fragrant violet blooms. It is deer-resistant and a stunning addition to any butterfly garden.
Syringa Vulgaris ‘Primrose’
If you're looking for a non-traditional lilac colour, this award-winning shrub offers pale creamy yellow and white flowers. While its fragrance may not be as potent as others, it still adds a delightful scent to your garden.
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The most fragrant lilac varieties
Lilacs are cherished for their enchanting fragrance, and some varieties are particularly renowned for their scent. Here are some of the most fragrant varieties of lilac:
Syringa Vulgaris ‘President Grevy’
A classic favourite, this lilac offers double blooms that are light bluish-purple and wonderfully scented. Its heart-shaped green leaves have a slightly bluish tint that makes the foliage attractive even when the blooms have faded. It grows in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Syringa Vulgaris ‘Sensation’
First introduced in 1938, this lilac is unique for its bicolor deep-purple petals edged in white on eight to 12-foot-tall shrubs. It is a fragrant variety with a classic lilac scent.
Syringa Vulgaris ‘Krasavitsa Moskvy’ (Beauty of Moscow)
This lilac grows readily into a tree shape and has a unique fragrance that is more spicy than sweet.
Syringa Vulgaris ‘Miss Kim’
A dwarf Korean lilac, this variety produces lavender-pink flowers with a highly fragrant scent, often described as spicy and sweet.
Virtual Violet (Syringa ‘Bailbridget’)
An exciting hybrid with purple stems, violet-tinted new leaves, purple buds, and fragrant violet blooms. This lilac is deer-resistant and right at home in a songbird and butterfly garden. It grows in full sun and well-drained soil.
Bloomerang (Syringa ‘Penda’)
Bloomerang is smaller than most lilac shrubs, making it perfect for small gardens. It blooms in spring and then reblooms in midsummer to fall, so you are rarely without its fragrance. It grows in full sun and well-drained soil.
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How to grow lilacs with the best fragrance
Lilacs are beloved for their enchanting fragrance, and some varieties are particularly renowned for their scent. Here is a guide on how to grow lilacs with the best fragrance:
Choosing the right variety
First, you need to choose a fragrant variety of lilac. Some of the most fragrant varieties include Syringa Vulgaris ‘President Grevy’, Syringa Vulgaris ‘Sensation’, Syringa Vulgaris ‘Krasavitsa Moskvy’ (Beauty of Moscow), Syringa Vulgaris ‘Miss Kim’, and Syringa Vulgaris ‘Charles Joly’. The dwarf lilac Tinkerbelle is another option, with an abundance of flowers and a unique, spicy fragrance.
Sunlight
Plant lilacs in an area with full sun, which is defined as at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If they don't receive enough sunlight, lilacs may not bloom as well and could be at a higher risk of developing fungal diseases.
Soil
Lilacs thrive in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5 to 7.0). Well-drained soil is imperative for lilacs as they cannot tolerate wet conditions, even for short periods. If your soil is in poor condition, mix in compost to enrich it.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the growing season. Water regularly during the first growing season until the roots are established. Mature plants need little supplemental water except during extended periods of dry weather.
Pruning
Prune lilacs immediately after flowering to promote healthy growth and abundant blooms the following year. Lilacs bloom on old wood, so if you wait until summer or later to prune, you may experience a loss of flowers the following year.
Fertilizing
If desired, apply a granular (not liquid) fertilizer formulated for woody plants in late winter or early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing lilacs, as they won't bloom if they receive too much fertilizer.
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The history of fragrant lilacs
Lilacs are a part of a country's history, especially in North America and New England. The oldest living lilacs in North America are believed to be those at the Governor Wentworth estate in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, planted around 1750. In 1767, Thomas Jefferson recorded his method of planting lilacs, and on March 3, 1785, George Washington noted that he had transplanted existing lilacs in his garden.
The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) originated in eastern Europe, and its hybrids were frequently grown and selected by French nurserymen, making France synonymous with fine lilacs. These hybrids are known as "French hybrids" and include 'Mme Lemoine' and 'President Grevy'.
The Syringa vulgaris 'President Lincoln' variety, introduced in 1916, is a fast-growing lilac with huge clusters of fragrant blooms. It has a history of being a popular selection in presidential gardens and was named in honour of Abraham Lincoln.
Syringa vulgaris 'Congo' is an heirloom variety from the 1890s, producing deep wine-red flowers with an intense fragrance. 'Beauty of Moscow' (Syringa vulgaris 'Krasavitsa Moskvy') is another variety known for its strong fragrance as the flowers mature.
Lilacs are beloved for their enchanting fragrance, and some varieties are particularly renowned for their scent. The best lilacs are highly fragrant, with many flowers at eye level, resistant to mildew, and produce new growth that does not obscure the flowers.
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Different colours of fragrant lilacs
Lilacs are beloved for their enchanting fragrance, and some varieties are particularly renowned for their scent. Here are some of the most fragrant lilacs in different colours:
Purple
The Syringa vulgaris ‘President Grevy’ is a classic favourite with double blooms that are light bluish-purple and wonderfully scented. The heart-shaped green leaves have a slightly bluish tint that makes the foliage attractive even without blooms. The Sensation lilac is another variety with fragrant flower clusters featuring single purple blooms edged in white.
Red
The Syringa vulgaris ‘Congo’ produces deep wine-red flowers that are as fragrant as they are pretty. Its 10-inch flower heads start as red and turn purple in late spring.
White
The Syringa vulgaris ‘Angel White’ lilac has pure white flower clusters with an almost frothy look and a heavenly scent. This variety does not need a winter chilling period like other lilacs and performs well in warm winter areas. The Beauty of Moscow is another variety with pink, pearl-like buds that open into gorgeous double-white flowers with a strong fragrance.
Yellow
The Syringa vulgaris ‘Primrose’ has pale creamy yellow and white flowers that turn into a deeper shade of yellow as the plant ages. Its exceptionally fragrant blooms are fantastic in flower arrangements.
Pink
The dwarf lilac Tinkerbelle is smaller than other varieties but has an abundance of unusually warm pink blooms that stand out against the wine-red buds. This variety has a unique fragrance that is more spicy than sweet.
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Frequently asked questions
Some lilac varieties that are known for their fragrance include Syringa vulgaris ‘President Grevy’, Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’, Syringa vulgaris ‘Krasavitsa Moskvy’ (Beauty of Moscow), Syringa vulgaris ‘Miss Kim’, Syringa vulgaris ‘Charles Joly’, and ‘Angel White’.
Smaller lilac varieties that are perfect for small gardens include Bloomerang and the dwarf lilac Tinkerbelle.
Lilacs grow best in full sun and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. They are low-maintenance and easy to grow, but they require good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
