Purple Glory Lilac

Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Purple Glory'

Nature Hills Nursery

Blooms 2 Weeks Earlier than French Hybrids for First Spring Fragrance
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 6-8 ft Tall, 5-6 ft Wide
Showy Purple Blooms From Early Spring to Late Spring
Top Pick for Privacy Screen or Hedge

$81⁶⁰

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give this lilac a spot with full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct light daily. While it might survive in partial shade, you will see significantly fewer blooms and the plant may become leggy and prone to mildew.
Soil: Lilacs demand well-drained soil and will struggle quickly in soggy, wet locations. If you have heavy clay, amend it with compost to improve drainage or consider planting in a raised berm to keep the roots elevated.

Watering Requirements

During the first season, water deeply once or twice a week to help the root system establish, checking that the soil is moist but not saturated. Once established, this plant is moderately drought tolerant, though consistent moisture during the spring bloom period ensures the flowers last longer and look their best.

Pruning Tips

Since this lilac blooms on old wood, the only time to prune is immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Pruning later in the summer or winter will remove the flower buds already set for the following year. You can also thin out one or two of the oldest, thickest stems at ground level to encourage fresh, vigorous growth from the base.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins to emerge. Avoid high-nitrogen lawn fertilizers near the base of the shrub, as these encourage lush leafy growth at the expense of those fragrant purple blooms.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Fragrant, Deer-resistant, Clay Tolerant, Drought resistant, Hedge/Screen, Attracts pollinators
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	6-8 ft
Width	5-6 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Spreading, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Purple
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Lilac
Botanical Name	Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Purple Glory'
Species	x hyacinthiflora
Cultivar	Purple Glory
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Enjoy the early and amazing blooms and alluring fragrance of the Purple Glory Lilac (Syringa X hyacinthiflora 'Purple Glory')! The deep-purple flowers appear on this precocious variety at a young age and a full 2 weeks before French Hybrid Lilacs in the early spring season!

You will anticipate the lovely fragrance, which fills the air around the early blooms of the Purple Glory Lilac! It will be one of the first smells drawing you out of the house after a long winter. Every honeybee and butterfly will be drawn in as well!

This Lilac variety is a prolific bloomer, producing large, fragrant flowers which almost seem to be created specifically for use as a cut flower. Fill a vase full of blooms to add a lovely smell throughout your house at the start of each spring!

With dense, green foliage, the Purple Glory Lilac reaches a mature height of 6-8 feet tall, with a 5-6 foot spread. Holding that handsome green hue until fall, when these leaves turn a unique shade of burgundy in the autumn! Can your standard Lilac do that? You'll enjoy double the color throughout all three growing seasons!

Plant the Purple Glory Lilac throughout the country, in growing zones 3-8. It's widely adaptable! Not only surviving chilly winters in USDA zone 3 but also sporting a lower chill hour need so it also blooms just as prolifically in zone 8! Deer and pests seem to not bother these shrubs much either!

Planting and Application:

The smaller size makes this variety a great choice for an informal Lilac hedge that has so many uses! Try a row along your property line for a friendly fence your neighbors won't mind being screened out by. Or a solid row or mixed-shrub border of flowering plants that act as backdrops to Rose, Perennial or cut flower gardens. Or start collecting other early-blooming, mid-season, or late-flowering Lilac varieties for blooms all spring long!

The deep dramatic color of Purple Glory begs to be utilized as an incredible, head-turning solitary specimen plant! Going with reds, blues, white and dark foliaged plants, these are gorgeous additions to any garden!

Highlight it further by planting in a raised berm in your front lawn or as an anchor to soften and finish the end of your home's foundation planting! You'll love the pop of early spring color this variety provides!

Create groupings for wildlife and bird-friendly habitat while also providing your seating areas an element of fragrant and ornamental privacy! Perfume poolside plantings or that garden bench at the end of a winding path for a delightful retreat!

Any garden becomes a hummingbird and pollinator garden with the inclusion of a Lilac! You'll be providing essential nectar and pollen resources for your local wildlife!

Early Spring Flowers!
Dark Purple Flowered Hybrid
Fragrant Flowers for Your Garden or Table
Super Hardy Hybrid Blooms 2 Weeks Before the French Hybrids
Clean, Dark Green Foliage Turns Burgundy In Fall
Hedge, Specimen, Cut Flowers, Early Color & Privacy

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Purple Glory Lilac is widely adaptable to different soil types and prefers full sun exposure for the best growth and blooms. Lilacs are synonymous with easy-care and cold resistance and it also loves the full sun! Not particular on soil type, any rich well-drained soil is best, preferring slightly alkaline soils. Enrich with compost and add organic, slow-release blooming shrub fertilizer in spring. Be sure Lilac does not sit in water, nor dry out for too long to protect your investment.

A generous layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill. Water well through the crucial establishment period and during extended drought. Be sure to not cluster Lilac too tightly among other large trees or shrubs.

If you live with deer in your area, apply repellent spray on planting day. Deer are hungry and curious, and you want to train them to leave your plants alone. Reapply according to the label.

Don't miss a single bloom! Follow these easy Pruning steps for the best flowering. It is important not to prune Lilacs until after they have finished blooming, because if you wait too long and you may remove next year's flowers! Every few years, Lilac benefits from a renewal pruning too.

Loves Full Sun
Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Moderate Moisture & Mulched Beds
Long-Lived & Low Maintenance
Rarely Bothered by Deer
Great Cold Hardiness & Heat Tolerance
Blooms in Zone 8!

Own one of the earliest blooming Lilacs in your neighborhood by ordering the Purple Glory Lilac today! NatureHills.com will ship these fantastic ornamental flowering shrubs to your doorstep at the correct planting time, so hurry and reserve yours today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature height and width of Purple Glory Lilac?

Purple Glory Lilac reaches 6-8 feet tall with a 5-6 foot spread at maturity. This compact size makes it perfect for informal hedging or as a specimen plant. Plan for adequate spacing when planting to accommodate its full mature width.

Does Purple Glory Lilac grow well in full sun or partial shade?

Purple Glory Lilac thrives in full sun for optimal flowering and fragrance production. This hardy shrub adapts well to zones 3-8 and needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce its prolific early spring blooms. Shop at Nature Hills for best results in sunny locations.

What type of soil does Purple Glory Lilac prefer, and does it tolerate alkaline or acidic soils?

Purple Glory Lilac thrives in well-draining, slightly alkaline to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. Like most lilacs, it tolerates alkaline conditions better than acidic soils. Amend heavy clay with compost and avoid waterlogged areas for best flowering performance in zones 3-8.

When is the best time to prune Purple Glory Lilac to avoid removing next year's blooms?

Prune Purple Glory Lilac immediately after its early spring blooms fade, typically by late May. Since this variety blooms 2 weeks earlier than French Hybrid Lilacs, it also sets next year's buds earlier. Wait too long and you'll cut off next season's flowers.

What fertilizer should I use for Purple Glory Lilac, and when?

Purple Glory Lilac thrives with balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer applied in early spring before blooming begins. Since this variety blooms 2 weeks earlier than standard lilacs, fertilize in late winter for zones 3-8. Apply around the base and water thoroughly for best results.

Does Purple Glory Lilac attract pollinators like bees and butterflies?

Yes, Purple Glory Lilac is excellent for attracting honeybees and butterflies with its fragrant early spring blooms. The deep-purple flowers appear 2 weeks before most lilacs, providing crucial early-season nectar when pollinators need it most. Plant in full sun for maximum blooms.

Is Purple Glory Lilac disease resistant, especially to powdery mildew?

Purple Glory Lilac shows good resistance to common lilac diseases including powdery mildew, thanks to its hardy hybrid genetics. This variety thrives in zones 3-8 with minimal pest issues. For best disease prevention, provide good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

How is Purple Glory Lilac shipped, and what is the estimated delivery time?

Purple Glory Lilac ships as a bare root or potted plant depending on season and availability. Delivery typically takes 7-14 business days from order placement. Since this variety adapts well to zones 3-8, it can be planted in spring or fall in most regions.

What is the warranty or guarantee on Purple Glory Lilac plants if they arrive damaged?

Nature Hills stands behind their plants with a one-year guarantee against defects and shipping damage. If your Purple Glory Lilac arrives damaged or fails to establish within the first year, contact customer service immediately with photos for a replacement or refund.

Will Purple Glory Lilac tolerate heat, drought, or cold winters in my zone?

Purple Glory Lilac thrives in USDA zones 3-8, handling both frigid zone 3 winters and warmer zone 8 conditions thanks to its low chill hour requirements. This widely adaptable variety survives cold winters while still blooming prolifically in heat. Check your specific zone to confirm compatibility.

Purple Glory Lilac

Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Purple Glory'