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Common Purple Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

  • The Original Lilac Rootstock: Most Modern Varieties Are Grafted Onto this Proven Cultivar
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-7
  • Grows 8-10 ft Tall and Wide
  • Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant
  • Showy Purple Blooms in Late Spring
Regular price $7459
Shipping calculated at checkout.
In Stock
Outside your zone (): not guaranteed Why

Rated for zones 3 to 7. Great in a pot brought indoors for winter, or as an annual.

Houseplant: grows indoors in any zone
Will it grow in your garden?

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Plant Size

Specifications

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics Cold hardy, Flowering, Fragrant, Deer-resistant, Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Clay Tolerant, Hedge/Screen
Hardiness Zone 3a to 7a
Sunlight Full sun
Height 8-10 ft
Width 8-10 ft
Watering Needs Moderate
Preferred Soil Clay, Loamy, Peaty
Growth Rate Moderate
Growth Habit Bushy, Upright
Blooms In Spring
Flower Color Purple
Foliage Color Green
Fragrant Yes
Suitable Space Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name Lilac
Botanical Name Syringa vulgaris
Species vulgaris
Class Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
J
Joan (United States)
Beautiful lilac

This lilac is gorgeous and healthy. It growing nicely in our garden 😊

S
Scott (United States)
Top notch nursery stock!

A real tree from the start. Healthy stock, with superior packaging. Arrived ready to be planted and start growing in its new home. Very good purchase process and true to advertised.

Lilacs are pretty hard to get wrong when the stock is healthy from the start, so we're glad this one arrived in good shape and ready to go in the ground. Thanks for the kind words about the packaging too, Scotty. We put a lot of thought into how these ship, and it's good to know it shows.

S
Stanley (United States)
Very poor/non-existent service!

Plants seem fine but unable to get any service response after attempts via phone, email and on line service in the app.

D
Dave (United States)
We were very happy with the way our plant arrived

We were very happy with the way our plant arrived, very healthy.

Hi Dave, Thank you for the glowing review, we appreciate it and you! We hope the Common Purple Lilac fills your landscape with it's beauty and it's beautifuly fragrant blooms. Thank you - Nature Hills Customer Support

K
Kimberly
Tree

The tree is growing and is healthy, much better looking than I expected. Thank you

B
Betty
Memories

I purchased this Common Lilac the very end of August of 2019. I received an extremely well packaged and very healthy plant. I planted my lilac on the east side of my home and under the kitchen window so when it blooms I can enjoy one of my favorite fragrances while even sitting at my kitchen table. LOL. The plant receives direct sunlight in the morning, then indirect sunlight after that. The lilac continues to thrive and tolerates our SW Pennsylvania winters. I’m just extremely impatient and can’t wait until it starts to bloom. I’m very happy with Nature Hills and highly recommend them for you garden needs.

Dear Betty,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely Lilac journey with us! It’s wonderful to hear how well your Common Lilac has settled and thrives by your kitchen window — we love that scent too, and what a perfect spot you’ve chosen to enjoy those morning blooms. Your detailed care with the plant’s light exposure and your perseverance through SW Pennsylvania winters shows just how much you cherish your garden.

We completely understand the excitement and impatience for lilacs to show their full beauty in bloom. Lilacs typically bloom in late spring to early summer, so the wait will be worth it! Meanwhile, make sure to provide regular watering during dry spells and consider applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring to give your Lilac all the nutrients it needs to flourish. You might also find our Lilac Care Guide on our website helpful for tips on pruning and encouraging healthy blooms.

We’re grateful for your trust in Nature Hills and your kind recommendation—I’m sure many gardeners appreciate your sharing! If you ever have questions or need advice, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

B
Betty
Memories

I purchased this Common Lilac the very end of August of 2019. I received an extremely well packaged and very healthy plant. I planted my lilac on the east side of my home and under the kitchen window so when it blooms I can enjoy one of my favorite fragrances while even sitting at my kitchen table. LOL. The plant receives direct sunlight in the morning, then indirect sunlight after that. The lilac continues to thrive and tolerates our SW Pennsylvania winters. I’m just extremely impatient and can’t wait until it starts to bloom. I’m very happy with Nature Hills and highly recommend them for you garden needs.

Dear Betty B.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Common Lilac! We’re delighted to hear that your plant arrived healthy and well-packaged, and that it continues to thrive in your spot under the kitchen window. It sounds like the morning sun is just the right amount of light for your lilac to flourish, especially with those chilly SW Pennsylvania winters to brave. We completely understand your excitement and impatience to see those fragrant blooms—anticipation truly makes that first flowering all the sweeter!

As you continue to care for your lilac, just be sure to provide it with sufficient water during dry spells and consider light pruning after its blooming period next spring to help promote healthier growth and floriferous blooms in the years ahead. If you'd ever like more detailed tips or want to explore some complementary plants to extend your garden’s sensory delights, don’t hesitate to reach out.

We truly appreciate your kind recommendation, Betty, and we're honored to be part of your gardening journey.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

C
Charlie
Charles Pettit

Hopefully your trees are as sucessfuly looking as has been written,they look encredable.

Dear Charlie,

Thank you so much for sharing your kind thoughts! We’re thrilled to hear that the trees you received look incredible, just as many have mentioned. We truly hope they continue to thrive in your garden and bring you many seasons of beauty.

If you ever need planting tips or care advice to ensure your new trees stay strong and healthy, don’t hesitate to reach out. We have plenty of resources on our website or are always happy to provide personalized guidance whenever you need it.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

C
Charlie
Charles Pettit

Hopefully your trees are as sucessfuly looking as has been written,they look encredable.

Dear Charlie,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts! We’re thrilled to hear that you find our trees incredible and hope they bring great joy and beauty to your garden. We’re committed to ensuring that every plant we provide thrives, and if you ever have any questions or need tips on how to care for your new trees, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We have plenty of resources and personalized advice to share to help you grow a successful, flourishing garden.

Looking forward to seeing your green space flourish!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

J
Jennifer
Purple Lilac

Arrived in condition. Won't know until next Spring on how well it takes off.

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Purple Lilac! We’re glad to hear it arrived in good condition. While it’s natural that the true success of your lilac’s growth will show by next spring, you can definitely support its healthy start with a few care tips now—like ensuring it’s planted in well-draining soil and positioned where it’ll get plenty of sunlight. We’re here if you need guidance throughout the seasons to help your lilac thrive.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

J
Jennifer
Purple Lilac

Arrived in condition. Won't know until next Spring on how well it takes off.

Hello Jennifer,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your Purple Lilac purchase! We’re delighted to hear that it arrived safely. You’re absolutely right—Spring will be the big moment to see how well your new lilac takes off, and we’re hopeful it will thrive beautifully in your garden.

In the meantime, to give your Purple Lilac the best start, consider planting it in a spot that receives full sun for most of the day and ensure your soil is well-drained. Mulching around the base can help retain moisture and protect roots during winter. Should you have any questions or need tips as you care for it through the seasons, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to help!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

J
Jo
Four very sturdy, healthy plants

Four very sturdy, healthy plants with only 2 branches that have apparently not survived. I'm anxiouly awaiting spring to see how well they survived my lack of expertise.

Hi Jo A.,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that your four plants arrived healthy and sturdy—that’s always our goal. It’s completely normal for a few branches to struggle, especially as plants adjust to new environments or during early establishment.

Since you’re eagerly awaiting spring, a gentle reminder: giving your plants some extra care as temperatures warm up—such as gradual watering and possibly light pruning of any damaged branches—can encourage robust new growth. If you need tailored tips when spring arrives, feel free to reach out!

We’re rooting for your success and are here whenever you have questions or need advice.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

J
Jo
Four very sturdy, healthy plants

Four very sturdy, healthy plants with only 2 branches that have apparently not survived. I'm anxiouly awaiting spring to see how well they survived my lack of expertise.

Hi Jo A.,

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! We're delighted to hear your plants arrived healthy and sturdy—what a great start. It’s completely normal for a few branches not to thrive initially, especially for new gardeners learning along the way. As spring approaches, new growth often emerges from even the sturdiest roots, so we’re confident your plants will surprise you.

If you'd like, we can provide some tips to help your plants bounce back and flourish during the spring season. Monitoring soil moisture, gradual exposure to sunlight, and occasional gentle pruning can all encourage strong growth. Don’t hesitate to reach out anytime if you want personalized care advice—we’re here to support your gardening journey!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

J
James
My Lilac arrived In a

My Lilac arrived In a timely manner and was in great shape. The directions for planting were easy to follow and the plant is doing great. No problems or concerns just keep up the good work. Jim

Hi Jim,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that your lilac arrived in great shape and that the planting directions made the process easy and enjoyable. It’s fantastic to know your new plant is thriving—that’s exactly why we do what we do! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever have any questions or need tips to help your lilac flourish even more.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

J
James
My Lilac arrived In a

My Lilac arrived In a timely manner and was in great shape. The directions for planting were easy to follow and the plant is doing great. No problems or concerns just keep up the good work. Jim

Hi James,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your lilac! We're absolutely delighted to hear that it arrived safely and that the planting directions made the process easy for you. It’s wonderful that your lilac is thriving so well—plants like this add such lovely color and fragrance to any garden.

If you ever need tips on lilac care or assistance with any other plants, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help your garden flourish.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

H
Henry
Arrived in perfect condition!

Arrived in perfect condition!

Hello Henry,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your order arrived in perfect condition—there’s nothing better than knowing your plants begin their journey with us safe and sound. If you have any questions about planting or care to ensure they thrive, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help you nurture a flourishing garden.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

H
Henry
Arrived in perfect condition!

Arrived in perfect condition!

Dear Henry,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your order arrived in perfect condition. We know how important it is for your plants to arrive healthy and ready to grow, and your feedback reassures us that our careful packaging and handling is paying off.

If you ever have any questions or need tips to help your new plants thrive, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

B
Barry
Lilac2

Showed up in good condition and is thriving at this time

Dear Barry,

Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience with your lilac! We’re delighted to hear that it arrived in good condition and is thriving—that’s always wonderful news. Lilacs can be such a charming addition to any garden, offering both beautiful blooms and a lovely fragrance. If you ever have questions about pruning tips or caring for your lilac as seasons change, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help your garden grow and flourish in every way.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

G
Guest
My lilac was delivered in

My lilac was delivered in great shape. I followed included instruction and plant is doing great!

Hi,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that your lilac arrived in excellent condition and that our planting instructions helped you get it off to such a great start. Lilacs are truly beautiful plants that bring lovely fragrance and color to any garden.

If you ever need tips on pruning, fertilizing, or caring for your lilac through the seasons, please don’t hesitate to reach out or check out our online resources. We’re here to assist you in helping your plant flourish for years to come!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

G
Guest
My lilac was delivered in

My lilac was delivered in great shape. I followed included instruction and plant is doing great!

Hi,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience with your lilac! We're delighted to hear it arrived in great shape and that our care instructions have been helpful in keeping your plant thriving. Lilacs are such wonderful additions to any garden, and it’s always encouraging to know they’re bringing joy and beauty to your space.

If you ever have any questions about caring for your lilac as it grows or need advice on soil, pruning, or attracting pollinators, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

G
Guest
common purple lilac r

Plant arrivedoing healthy , and it was well packaged. Very eased with this gift for my sister.

Hi,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience! We're delighted to hear that your common purple lilac arrived healthy and well-packaged. It’s wonderful that this lovely plant could serve as a meaningful gift for your sister—what a thoughtful way to brighten her garden!

If you or your sister ever have questions about planting or caring for purple lilacs, we’re here to help. Lilacs thrive best in full sun with well-drained soil and benefit from annual pruning after blooming. We also have detailed planting guides and care tips on our website that you might find helpful.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

G
Guest
Huge Beautiful Lilacs

As no home is complete without lilacs, I ordered two Common Purple Lilacs from Nature Hills and received two of the largest and healthiest plants I have ever ordered online. The variety was unavailable in my area so I decided to purchase again online, though I have usually been disappointed with the quality of online plant purchases, even from well known and highly recommended nurseries. The price was comparable to other online sources but the quality of the plants I must say is exceptional. Large sturdy fully budded lilacs in excellent condition. I couldn't ask for a better purchase experience.

Hi,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with our Common Purple Lilacs! We’re truly delighted to hear that your order arrived as healthy, large, and beautifully budded plants—exactly what every garden deserves. It’s so rewarding to know that despite previous online disappointments, you felt confident choosing us again and were pleased with our plant quality.

Since lilacs thrive best with plenty of sun and well-drained soil, be sure to plant them in a spot that allows them room to grow and receive ample sunlight. To help you make the most of these gorgeous shrubs, you might also enjoy our care guides on pruning and seasonal maintenance available on our website.

If you ever have questions or need further assistance as your lilacs bloom and grow, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support your garden in every season.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

G
Guest
Huge Beautiful Lilacs

As no home is complete without lilacs, I ordered two Common Purple Lilacs from Nature Hills and received two of the largest and healthiest plants I have ever ordered online. The variety was unavailable in my area so I decided to purchase again online, though I have usually been disappointed with the quality of online plant purchases, even from well known and highly recommended nurseries. The price was comparable to other online sources but the quality of the plants I must say is exceptional. Large sturdy fully budded lilacs in excellent condition. I couldn't ask for a better purchase experience.

Hi,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Common Purple Lilacs! We’re truly delighted to hear that your plants arrived large, healthy, and fully budded—a garden that’s really arriving in style. We completely understand how disappointing online purchases can be when the quality doesn’t meet expectations, so it means a lot that you found our lilacs exceptional in both condition and value.

If you ever need tips on caring for your lilacs or want suggestions on companion plants to create a stunning aromatic garden, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to ensure your gardening journey continues to be a rewarding and joyful one.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

D
Dale
common purple lilac r

Plant arrivedoing healthy , and it was well packaged. Very eased with this gift for my sister.

Hi Dale,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that your common purple lilac arrived healthy and well-packaged, and that it will make a special gift for your sister. Lilacs are such wonderful plants, and we’re confident it will bring her joy for years to come. If you or your sister ever have questions about planting or care, don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here to help!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Frequently Asked Questions

Are lilacs purple?

  • Lilacs come in multiple colors including purple, pink, white, and yellow varieties. The Common Purple Lilac produces fragrant lavender flower clusters in mid-spring and thrives in zones 3-7. Pair different colored lilac cultivars together to create a colorful hedge with extended bloom time.

What planting zones is the Common Purple Lilac hardy in?

  • Common Purple Lilac thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 7, tolerating temperatures down to -40°F. This exceptional cold hardiness makes it perfect for northern gardens and exposed locations. Shop at Nature Hills for reliable spring blooms year after year.

Does Common Purple Lilac need full sun or can it tolerate partial shade?

  • Common Purple Lilac thrives in full sun and needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering. While it can tolerate light shade, blooms will be significantly reduced in partial shade conditions. Plant in the sunniest spot available for maximum fragrance and flower production.

How often should I water my newly planted lilac and what are its drought tolerance levels?

  • Water newly planted lilacs deeply once or twice weekly for the first growing season. Once established, these hardy shrubs are quite drought tolerant and can survive with minimal supplemental water. Check soil moisture 2-3 inches down and water when dry.

What is the growth rate of Common Purple Lilac and how long until it reaches full size?

  • Common Purple Lilac grows at a moderate pace, typically reaching 8-15 feet tall and wide in 10-15 years. These hardy shrubs establish quickly in zones 3-7 and begin blooming within 2-3 years. For best results, give them full sun and well-draining soil when you shop at Nature Hills.

Is Common Purple Lilac deer resistant?

  • Common Purple Lilac is generally deer resistant, though deer may browse it during harsh winters when food is scarce. The fragrant flowers and tough woody stems typically deter deer in normal conditions. Plant it in exposed areas or use it as a natural deer barrier along property lines.

Does this lilac require regular pruning and when is the best time to prune?

  • Lilacs benefit from light pruning right after flowering in late spring to early summer. This timing preserves next year's blooms since flower buds form on old wood. Remove spent flowers and any dead or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning unless reshaping an overgrown shrub.

How long should I expect my lilac to live with proper care?

  • Common Purple Lilacs can live 50-100 years or more with proper care. These extremely hardy shrubs (zones 3-7) have been found thriving around century-old farmsteads. Give yours full sun, well-draining soil, and annual pruning right after blooming for maximum longevity.