(Brand Lilac, Common Lilac)

This is a modern lilac with deep dark purple flowers, a haunting fragrance and old-fashioned Victorian looks. Introduced in 1953, it is time tested for longevity and vigor in American gardens.

When not in bloom the large, rounded, deciduous shrub offers little interest, but it is exceptionally beautiful when its flower panicles appear in late spring to early summer. ‘Brand’ offers big panicles of rich purple flowers that are highly fragrant and ideal for cutting. The blooms are held at tips...

(California Rose Lilac, Common Lilac)

This is one of the few French lilacs well-suited to southern gardens. This heat-tolerant cultivar was bred in the 1960s by John Sobeck of Descanso Gardens in California. One of the parent plants was the pretty ‘Lavender Lady.’ Another perk is that it will bloom and grow well further south, unlike most lilacs, which require a long cold spell to replenish.

When not in bloom the large, rounded, deciduous shrub offers little interest, but it is exceptionally beautiful when its flower panicles...

(Charles Joly Lilac, Common Lilac)

This French lilac offers fantastic fragrance to the early summer garden. It is an old double-flowered variety bred at the famous Lemoine Nursery near Nancy, France where many classic French lilacs were developed. ‘Charles Joly’ was introduced in 1896 and remains a popular cultivar in the trade.

When not in bloom the large, rounded, deciduous shrub offers little interest, but it is exceptionally beautiful when its flower panicles appear in late spring to early summer. ‘Charles Joly’ offers...

(Charles X Lilac, Common Lilac)

The American heirloom lilac ‘Charles X’ can be found in some of the oldest garden shrub catalogs on record. This variety was introduced in Boston around 1830 and remains in cultivation today. It is a traditional lilac with a rounded, open form.

When not in bloom the large, rounded, deciduous shrub offers little interest, but it is exceptionally beautiful when its flower panicles appear in late spring to early summer. ‘Charles X’ offers big, plentiful violet-purple flowers that are highly fragrant...

(Charm Lilac, Common Lilac)

The highly cold hardy, richly fragrant ‘ Charm’ can be planted as far north as Alaska. This pink-flowered French lilac was introduced sometime before 1942 and remains in cultivation today.

When not in bloom the large, rounded, deciduous shrub offers little interest, but it is exceptionally beautiful when its upright flower panicles appear in late spring to early summer. ‘Charm’ offers tons of soft pink flowers that are highly fragrant and ideal for cutting. The blooms are held at tips of the...

(Common Lilac, Congo Lilac)

This heirloom variety can be found in many of the late Victorian garden catalogs and is ideal for garden restoration projects representative of that era. It is an old cultivar bred at the famous Lemoine Nursery near Nancy, France where many classic French lilacs were developed. ‘Congo’ was introduced in 1896 and still stands strong against contemporary hybrids.

When not in bloom the large, rounded, deciduous shrub offers little interest, but it is exceptionally beautiful when its upright flower...

(Common Lilac, Dappled Dawn Lilac)

The fragrance of an old-fashioned lilac in bloom is aromatherapy at its finest. European in origin, these tall, open, deciduous shrubs don't look like much when they are not in bloom, but in late spring to early summer they become brag-worthy. Luminous panicles of purple, lavender, white or pink flowers appear along their branches. Next year's flower buds are set shortly after blooming, so lilacs must be pruned directly after their yearly display. There are many superb cultivars to include the deep...

(Common Lilac, Edith Cavell Lilac)

This French lilac offers fantastic fragrance to the early summer garden. It is an old double white flowered variety bred at the famous Lemoine Nursery near Nancy, France where many classic French lilacs were developed. ‘Edith Cavell’ was introduced in 1916 and remains a popular cultivar in the trade.

When not in bloom the large, rounded, deciduous shrub offers little interest, but it is exceptionally beautiful when its flower panicles appear in late spring to early summer. ‘Edith Cavell’ offers...

(Common Lilac, Edouard Andre Lilac)

The early flowering ‘Edouard Andre’ is a beautiful old-fashioned French lilac admired for its large panicles of double lavender pink flowers. It was bred near Nancy, France at the famous Lemoine Nursery where many French lilacs were developed. It was introduced in 1900 and is registered as foundation stock for the development of contemporary hybrids.

When not in bloom this rounded deciduous shrub offers little interest, but it is exceptionally beautiful when its large, conical flower panicles...

(Common Lilac, Edward Gardner Lilac)

This unusually cold hardy pink-flowered lilac is a wonderful traditional border shrub for northern gardens. The delicate fragrant blooms of this contemporary lilac are borne in loose upright panicles that are stunning in the early season border.

When not in bloom the large, rounded, deciduous shrub offers little interest, but it is exceptionally beautiful when its flower panicles appear in late spring to early summer. ‘Edward J. Gardner’ offers big panicles of clear pink flowers that are highly...