Plant Profile: Syringa pubescens subsp. patula

This lilac variety features single flowers that range in color from lavender to ice blue, exuding a delightful fragrance. The blooms are grouped in dense clusters, or panicles, measuring up to 3 inches in length. Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer, and this cultivar offers a spicier aroma compared to the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris). While it can tolerate some shade, it thrives and produces a greater number of flowers when planted in full sunlight. It prefers soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline (around pH 7.0), which should be reasonably fertile, well-drained, and never saturated with water. Although this variety shows greater resistance to powdery mildew than other lilacs, it performs best in locations with ample air circulation.

For optimal growth, prune the plant right after it has finished blooming, as it flowers on old wood.