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Syringa vulgaris - L.                
                 
Common Name Lilac
Family Oleaceae
Synonyms
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Scrub on rocky hill slopes in Europe[50]. Found in hedges, thickets and shrubberies in Britain[17].
Range E. Europe. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun

Summary       

Physical Characteristics       
 icon of manicon of shrub
Syringa vulgaris is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera.It is noted for attracting wildlife.


Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Syringa vulgaris Lilac


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Syringa vulgaris Lilac
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Syringa_vulgaris_Sturm2.jpg
   
Habitats       
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;
Edible Uses                                         
Edible Parts: Flowers.
Edible Uses:

Flowers - raw or folded into batter and fried to make fritters[183].
Medicinal Uses


Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antiperiodic;  Febrifuge;  Mouthwash;  Tonic;  Vermifuge.

The leaves and the fruit are antiperiodic, febrifuge, tonic and vermifuge[4]. The bark or leaves have been chewed by children as a treatment for sore mouth[257].
Other Uses
Dye;  Essential;  Hedge;  Hedge;  Rootstock.

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers. Used in perfumery[171]. A green dye is obtained from the flowers[168]. Green and brown dyes can be obtained from the leaves[168]. A yellow-orange dye is obtained from the twigs[168]. Plants can be grown as an informal hedge[200]. The plant is often used as a rootstock for the various ornamental cultivars of lilac. Its main disadvantage is that it can sucker very freely[200].
Cultivation details                                         
Succeeds in most soils, including chalk, but dislikes acid soils[11]. Prefers a deep stiff well-drained loam in a warm sunny position[11, 200]. A very ornamental plant[1], it does tend to sucker quite freely though[200]. There are many named varieties, developed for their ornamental value[182]. The flowers attract butterflies and moths[30]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].
                                                                                 
Propagation                                         
Seed - sow March in a north facing cold frame. Pre-treating the seed with 4 weeks warm then 3 weeks cold stratification improves germination. It is probable that sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame would be a more reliable method[K]. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. Plant them out in the summer if sufficient growth has been made, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of young shoots, 7cm with a heel, June in a frame[200]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[200]. Layering in spring before new growth begins. Takes 12 months[78]. Division of suckers in late winter. They can be planted straight out into their permanent positions.
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Expert comment                                         
 
      
Author                                         
L.
                                                                                 
Botanical References                                         
1150200
                                                                                 
Links / References                                         

  [K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
[30]Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe.
An excellent book on Lepidoptera, it also lists their favourite food plants.
[50]? Flora Europaea
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[168]Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants.
A very good and readable book on dyeing.
[171]Hill. A. F. Economic Botany.
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.
[182]Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[257]Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

Readers comment                                         
 
Elizabeth H.
Etienne Van Rattingen Thu Apr 22 09:16:36 2004
coronairscleroses, angina pectoris, tachycardia, aritmic heart, decompensatio cordis.
Elizabeth H.
Dr. Sudhir Mestri Fri Jun 3 04:45:13 2005
If you can suggest me a supplier of genuine lilac flower oil (Syringa Vulgaris), please let me know. I am interested in buying the oil. You can send me the details on sdmestri@balsara.com. Thanks. Dr. Sudhir Mestri
Elizabeth H.
Deidre Wille Wed Apr 16 2008
Syringa vulgaris grows in zones 4b, 4a and 3b in the USA.
Elizabeth H.
Mon Apr 27 2009
They bloom in the spring
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