Lilacs are a beloved flower that brings the sweet scent of spring to gardens everywhere. Their stunning clusters of purple, pink, white, and blue blossoms mark the season’s arrival, and their fragrance fills the air, creating a sensory experience that many gardeners look forward to year after year. But here’s a little-known fact: by planting different varieties of lilacs, you can enjoy up to eight weeks of continuous bloom in your garden. Yes, that’s right—your lilacs can bloom in succession, giving you weeks of color and fragrance. Let’s take a closer look at how you can extend your lilac season by choosing the right varieties for your garden.
Why Plant Different Varieties of Lilacs?
Lilacs, like many flowering plants, have different blooming times, depending on the species and cultivar. Some lilacs bloom early in the spring, while others bloom later, extending the flowering season. By planting multiple varieties that bloom at different times, you can create a stunning, long-lasting lilac display that carries you from early spring to late spring or even early summer.
Planting a variety of lilacs also allows you to experience different shades, sizes, and forms of blooms. Some lilacs have larger clusters of flowers, while others offer a more compact, delicate display. And of course, different varieties will come with subtle variations in color, making your garden more dynamic and interesting.
How to Achieve 8 Weeks of Lilac Bloom
To achieve an extended lilac season, the key is to select varieties with varying bloom times. Here’s a breakdown of some popular lilac varieties and when they typically bloom, so you can stagger them in your garden for a continuous show of color.
Early-Season Blooms:
Start the Season with ‘Preston’ and ‘Miss Kim’
‘Preston’ Lilac
• Bloom Time: Mid to Late April
• Color: Light Purple
• Height: 6-8 feet
Details: One of the earliest blooming lilacs, ‘Preston’ will be the first to bring color to your garden. Its pale purple flowers are fragrant and beautiful, making it a perfect starting point for your lilac season.
‘Miss Kim’ Lilac
• Bloom Time: Late April to Early May
• Color: Light Purple
• Height: 4-6 feet
Details: A dwarf variety of lilac, ‘Miss Kim’ is perfect for smaller spaces but still packs a punch with its fragrant, lavender-colored blooms. It starts blooming just as ‘Preston’ begins to fade, extending the season by a few extra weeks.
Mid-Season Blooms:
Add Vibrancy with ‘Common’ and ‘Syringa vulgaris’
‘Common Lilac’ (Syringa vulgaris)
• Bloom Time: Mid to Late May
• Color: Purple, Pink, White
• Height: 8-12 feet
Details: The classic lilac everyone loves, ‘Common Lilac’ delivers large clusters of fragrant blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white. These varieties will fill your garden with vibrant color and continue blooming well into late May.
‘Charles Joly’ Lilac
• Bloom Time: Mid to Late May
• Color: Deep Red-Purple
• Height: 8-10 feet
Details: This deep purple variety offers striking, rich blooms that contrast beautifully with the lighter shades of earlier bloomers. ‘Charles Joly’ will keep your lilacs going well into late May, continuing the fragrant show.
Late-Season Blooms:
Extend the Season with ‘Lilac Sensation’ and ‘Tinkerbelle’
‘Lilac Sensation’
• Bloom Time: Late May to Early June
• Color: Purple with a White Edge
• Height: 8-10 feet
Details: This late bloomer offers a unique touch with its bicolor flowers: deep purple with a white edge. Its long-lasting blooms and pleasant fragrance will extend the lilac season well into early summer.
‘Tinkerbelle’ Lilac
• Bloom Time: Early to Mid June
• Color: Light Lavender
• Height: 3-4 feet
Details: ‘Tinkerbelle’ is a compact, late-blooming lilac that will keep the lilac show going into the early summer months. Its small size and charming light lavender blooms make it perfect for smaller gardens or as a border plant.
Companion Plants for Your Extended Lilac Display
Pairing lilacs with complementary plants can further enhance your garden’s beauty and provide additional interest when your lilacs are at different stages of bloom. Here are some great companion plant ideas to create a more dynamic, layered garden:
- Peonies: These spring bloomers bloom alongside early- and mid-season lilacs, offering large, fragrant flowers in shades of pink, white, and red.
- Astilbes: Perfect for adding a pop of color and texture to the front of your lilac bushes, Astilbes bloom in late spring to early summer in shades of pink, red, and white.
- Irises: With their bold, upright blooms, Irises complement lilacs beautifully and often bloom just before or alongside them, giving you another dose of color.
- Nepeta: This perennial has soft, lavender-colored flowers and silvery foliage that pairs well with lilacs. It will fill in around the base of your lilacs, adding both color and texture.
By planting different lilac varieties that bloom in succession, you can enjoy up to eight weeks of lilac beauty—from the first splash of purple in early spring to the final fragrant blooms as summer begins. With careful selection of early, mid, and late-blooming lilacs, you can extend your lilac season and fill your garden with a rich tapestry of color and scent.
We love helping our clients create gorgeous gardens with extended blooming seasons. If you’re ready to bring weeks of lilac beauty to your landscape, we’d be happy to help you select and plant the perfect varieties for your space. Contact us today to start planning your lilac-filled garden!