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Syringa vulgaris - L.

Common Name Lilac, Common lilac
Family Oleaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
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    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Syringa vulgaris Lilac, Common lilac


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Syringa vulgaris Lilac, Common lilac
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Syringa_vulgaris_Sturm2.jpg

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Lavender, Pink, Purple, White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Syringa vulgaris is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
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 (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

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].

References   More on Edible Uses

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].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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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].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Standard, Seashore, Specimen. 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]. Special Features: Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Syringa josikaeaHungarian LilacShrub4.0 2-7 MLMHNM003

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1150200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Etienne Van Rattingen   Thu Apr 22 09:16:36 2004

coronairscleroses, angina pectoris, tachycardia, aritmic heart, decompensatio cordis.

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 [email protected]. Thanks. Dr. Sudhir Mestri

Deidre Wille   Wed Apr 16 2008

Syringa vulgaris grows in zones 4b, 4a and 3b in the USA.

   Mon Apr 27 2009

They bloom in the spring

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