Also known as Lilac · 1.5k gardener saves
Syringa: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Syringa, the genus most gardeners know as lilac. We track 44 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Syringa varieties
Of 44 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedMiss Kim Lilac
Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Miss Kim'
#2 most savedChinese Lilac
Syringa x chinensis 'Lilac Sunday'
#3 most savedCommon Lilac 'Agincourt Beauty'
Syringa x chinensis 'Agincourt Beauty'
Chinese Lilac 'Royalty'
Syringa x chinensis 'Royalty'
Betsy Ross Lilac
Syringa x oblata 'Betsy Ross'
Josee lilac
Syringa x villosa 'Josee'
Meyer Lilac
Syringa meyeri
Dwarf Korean Lilac
Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'
Minuet Preston Lilac
Syringa x chinensis 'Minuet'
Donald Wyman Lilac
Syringa vulgaris 'Donald Wyman'
Chinese Lilac 'Congo'
Syringa x chinensis 'Congo'
Yankee Doodle Lilac
Syringa x prestoniae 'Yankee Doodle'
Browse all 44 Syringa varieties →
How to grow Syringa
What the Syringa varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Syringa year
- PruneMay and June100% of varieties
Remove spent blooms and shape shrub immediately after flowering
- FertilizeMarch85% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer or compost in late winter/early spring
- Check for PestsMay–August45% of varieties
Monitor for powdery mildew (humid conditions) and lilac borers.
- MulchMarch43% of varieties
Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base to conserve moisture
- PlantMarch, April, September and October40% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall to allow root establishment.
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Provide full sun for best flowering.
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Provide full sun for the best flower production.
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Don't prune in late summer, fall, or winter.
- Don't over-fertilize with nitrogen, which promotes leaves over flowers.
What goes wrong with Syringa
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Lilac Borer | Sawdust-like frass near holes in the lower trunk; branch dieback. | Prune and destroy infested branches. Apply permethrin-based insecticide to the trunk in spring to prevent new infestations. |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale Insects | Small, immobile bumps on stems; sticky honeydew leading to sooty mold. | Spray with horticultural oil during the dormant season. Use systemic insecticides for severe cases. |
| Scale insects | Small bumps on stems and leaves | Apply horticultural oil during dormant season |
| Powdery Mildew | White, powdery coating on leaves, especially in late summer. | Improve air circulation. Apply neem oil or a potassium bicarbonate solution. Use a commercial fungicide if severe. |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Ensure good air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
| Leaf spot | Dark spots on foliage | Remove affected leaves and improve air flow |
Making more Syringa
Softwood Cuttings
- Take 6-inch cuttings from new growth in late spring.
- Remove lower leaves and dip the end in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a mix of perlite and peat moss.
- Keep moist and humid; roots form in 6-8 weeks.
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil.
- Maintain humidity and keep soil moist.
- Roots develop in 6 weeks.
Syringa questions
How many types of Syringa are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 44 distinct Syringa varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.5k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Syringa grow in?
Across its varieties, Syringa covers USDA Zones 4–8. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Syringa bloom?
Most Syringa varieties bloom in mid-spring, late spring, late spring to early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Syringa should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Syringa
By hardiness zone
Related genera
Design with Syringa in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
