Fragrant Lilac Bushes: Which Varieties Offer The Best Scents?

which variety of lilac bush has a fragrance

Lilac bushes are a beautiful and fragrant addition to any garden. They are native to the mountains of Eastern Europe and were brought to North America in the 1500s. There are now over 100 varieties of Common Lilac, along with two other species, growing on Mackinac Island in Michigan. With so many varieties to choose from, which are the most fragrant? The Common White Lilac (S. vulgaris var. alba) is a popular choice, with a heavy fragrance and snow-white blooms. The 'Angel White' variety also has a heavenly scent and pure white flowers. For a lilac that's not lilac, the 'Saugeana' or 'Persian' lilac is a hybrid with pale purple flowers and a sweet fragrance. If you're looking for something more unique, the dwarf lilac 'Tinkerbelle' has an unusual spicy fragrance and warm pink flowers.

Characteristics Values
Variety Tinkerbelle, Virtual Violet, Bloomerang, Angel White, Beauty of Moscow, President Lincoln, Primrose, Sensation, Common White, Dwarf Korean, Royalty, Saugeana, Picotee Flowered, Wedgwood Blue, Belle de Moscou
Flower Colour Pink, purple, violet, white, lavender-pink, pale creamy yellow and white, bluish-purple, reddish-purple, white and pink
Scent Spicy, sweet, heavenly, rich, lilac, traditional lilac, strong, pleasant
Size Up to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide, 6 feet tall and 8-foot spread, 4-5 feet tall and 4-foot spread, 8-10 feet tall and wide, up to 20 feet tall, 4-8 feet tall and up to 10 feet wide
Growing Conditions Full sun, well-drained soil, full sun and moist soil, full sun and moist well-drained soil, full sun and well-drained alkaline soil
Other Deer-resistant, good for small gardens and containers, good for hedges and accents, good for borders, beds, and foundation plantings, good for warmer locations, good for flower arrangements, good for zones 2-7, good for zones 3-8, good for zones 3-7

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Dwarf lilac Tinkerbelle

The Dwarf Lilac Tinkerbelle is a great choice for small gardens, with a maximum height and width of 4-6 feet. It thrives in full sun and well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil. While it can adapt to poor, dry, or compacted soils, it dislikes acidic soils. To promote healthy growth and abundant blooms, it is important to prune the shrub immediately after flowering and remove faded flowers before seed set.

The Dwarf Lilac Tinkerbelle is a low-maintenance plant that is urban tolerant and disease-resistant. It is deer resistant and attracts pollinators, butterflies, and hummingbirds. For a dense hedge, plant Tinkerbelle 2 to 3 feet apart, or 3 to 4 feet apart for a more relaxed look. It can also be used as a single focal point or in groupings of three or odd numbers for a natural look.

To enhance the beauty of your Dwarf Lilac Tinkerbelle, pair it with other lilac varieties or underplant it with smaller evergreens and flowering plants. Don't forget to add spring bulbs to maximize the spring display! With its fragrant flowers and lush foliage, the Dwarf Lilac Tinkerbelle will surely bring sumptuous beauty to your home.

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Common white lilac

The Common White Lilac (Syringa vulgaris var. alba) is a popular ornamental shrub known for its stunning and fragrant flowers. It is a hardy and vigorous shrub that is well-loved by gardeners worldwide for its beauty and scent. The shrub produces pristine white flowers that bloom on long, showy upright panicles in mid-spring, complemented by dark blue-green, heart-shaped leaves.

This variety of lilac is exceptionally cold-hardy, making it ideal for North American gardens and regions with severe winters. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 7 and can withstand frost, making it well-suited for areas with cold winter temperatures. Common White Lilacs are also adaptable to various soil conditions and will grow well even in urban environments.

To ensure optimal growth and fragrance, it is important to provide full sun exposure and well-drained, organically rich soil. Avoid chalky spots that may cause lime-induced chlorosis, resulting in leaf discolouration and death. Pruning should be done after flowering to avoid removing the next spring's blossoms, and suckers and old wood can be removed at any time. With its powerful fragrance and visual appeal, the Common White Lilac is a delightful addition to any garden, bringing a captivating scent to your outdoor and indoor spaces.

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'Saugeana' aka 'Persian' lilac

Saugeana, also known as the Persian lilac, is a variety of lilac bush known for its abundant and beautiful blooms. This lilac variety is a profuse bloomer, producing an abundance of rich purple, upright flowers with a delightful fragrance. The flowers have a unique bi-colour appearance, with purple petals edged in white.

The Persian lilac is an excellent choice for adding fragrance to your garden, and its sweet and spicy perfume will fill the air around patios, porches, and walkways. This variety is also suitable for cutting and bringing indoors to enjoy the scent up close. The shrub grows to a height of around 3 metres (10 feet) and spreads to about 2 metres (6 feet, 6 inches), making it a magnificent backdrop for mixed borders.

Saugeana is a hardy, deciduous shrub that thrives in full sun and well-drained, organically rich soil. It is essential to avoid chalky spots, as these can cause lime-induced chlorosis, leading to leaf discolouration and death. The shrub is a quick grower but can be pruned to maintain a more compact shape if desired.

To promote healthy growth and abundant blooms, pruning should be done immediately after flowering. The Persian lilac is a great choice for those seeking a low-maintenance option, as lilac shrubs are easy to care for and long-lasting. With its stunning fragrance and visual appeal, the Saugeana lilac is an excellent addition to any garden.

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'Angel White' lilac

The Angel White lilac, also known as Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Angel White' or Syringa vulgaris 'Angel White', is a beautiful and fragrant addition to any garden. This early-flowering lilac is an upright-rounded, deciduous shrub with a unique and captivating fragrance.

The Angel White lilac stands out for its spectacular clusters of pure white flowers, which open from ivory buds in mid-spring, about 7-10 days earlier than common lilacs. The abundant blossoms create a stunning display, with the open branches clothed in attractive green, heart-shaped leaves that retain their colour through the summer.

One of the advantages of the Angel White lilac is its ability to thrive in warm winter areas. Unlike many other lilacs, it does not require a winter chilling period to bloom, making it a popular choice for Southern gardens. This variety typically flowers in mid-May, with its blossoms releasing a heavenly scent that enhances its visual appeal.

In terms of size, the Angel White lilac can quickly reach impressive proportions, growing up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It performs well in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. While it does not require routine pruning, it is recommended to remove any diseased, damaged, congested, or crossing shoots in late winter or early spring to maintain its health and shape.

The Angel White lilac is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways in the garden. It makes an excellent hedge, screen, or accent plant, adding structure and beauty to any landscape. Its early flowering and dramatic blooms also make it a great candidate for foundation plantings.

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'Beauty of Moscow' lilac

The Beauty of Moscow lilac, also known as Syringa vulgaris 'Beauty of Moscow', is a fragrant variety of lilac bush. It is a deciduous shrub with upright panicles of fragrant, double flowers in late spring. The flowers are white, adorned with a pale pink or lilac blush, creating a stunning bicolor effect. The open branches feature light green, heart-shaped leaves that remain attractive in summer.

The Beauty of Moscow lilac is a Russian cultivar, introduced in 1943, and remains a popular choice for gardens. It is a heavy bloomer, with a fine texture and dark, glossy green foliage. The fragrance of the lilac becomes more pronounced as the flowers mature.

This variety of lilac is easy to care for and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It requires well-drained, organically rich soil with a pH close to neutral. To maintain the health of the plant, it is recommended to prune it immediately after flowering and remove faded flowers before seed set to increase bloom production the following year.

When planting a Beauty of Moscow lilac, it is important to ensure that the root flair is exposed and slightly higher than the ground level. The hole should be dug wider than the root mass but no deeper, and it is crucial to avoid planting in chalky spots to prevent lime-induced chlorosis. With proper care, the Beauty of Moscow lilac will thrive and fill your garden with its fragrant blooms.

Frequently asked questions

The dwarf lilac Tinkerbelle (Syringa x ‘Bailbelle’ PP12294) is a fragrant variety with spicy notes.

The 'Virtual Violet' lilac (Syringa ‘Bailbridget’) is a hybrid with fragrant violet blooms and purple buds and stems.

Yes, the 'Angel White' lilac (Syringa vulgaris ‘Angel White’) has a powerful scent and pure white flower clusters.

Common lilacs, also known as French lilacs (Syringa vulgaris), are indeed fragrant and were historically cultivated by the Turks before spreading to Vienna and Paris.

The 'Saugeana' or 'Persian' lilac (S. vulgaris and S. persica) produces pale purple flowers with a sweet fragrance. The 'Primrose' variety (Syringa vulgaris ‘Primrose’) has pale creamy yellow and white flowers that deepen in colour as the plant ages.

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