Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) shrub in a #2 nursery container, which holds approximately 1.5 gallons. This deciduous perennial shrub produces beautiful clusters of fragrant lavender-purple blooms in mid to late spring, making it a classic garden favorite. The intoxicating fragrance attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and the flower clusters also work well as cut arrangements for indoor display.

This lilac thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day for best blooming. It is cold hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 7 and tolerates a variety of soil types, preferring rich, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. At maturity, common lilac can reach up to 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Pruning after the flowering period is recommended but not required, and timing is important since lilacs bloom on old growth. Fertilize in late winter for best results. Water during periods of drought, and allow 10 to 12 feet of spacing when planting to avoid overcrowding.