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.

Common Purple Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

Nature Hills Nursery

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

$74⁵⁹

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Ensure your lilac receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best bloom density. While they can survive in partial shade, the plant will likely become leggy, produce fewer flowers, and be more susceptible to powdery mildew.
Soil: These shrubs thrive in humus-rich, neutral to slightly alkaline soil that drains quickly. If you are working with heavy clay, amend the site with compost or plant in a raised berm to prevent root rot, as lilacs hate having "wet feet."

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist during the first growing season to help the extensive root system establish. Once mature, lilacs are moderately drought tolerant, though a deep soak during dry summer spells prevents leaf wilt and ensures the plant has enough energy to set buds for the following year.

Pruning Tips

Common Purple Lilacs bloom on old wood, so you must prune them immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. To keep the shrub vigorous, use the renewal method by cutting one-third of the oldest, thickest trunks all the way down to the ground each year. This encourages fresh, flowering shoots from the base rather than tall, bare branches.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins to support the bloom cycle. Avoid applying high-nitrogen fertilizers, especially late in the season, because they promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers and can delay the plant going dormant for winter.

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, Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Clay Tolerant, Hedge/Screen
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 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

The scent of Spring! Nothing beats the captivating scent of fresh Lilac in bloom. Lilac oils have been collected from the flowers and used in perfumes and lotions. Modern companies try to recreate the desirable scent for air fresheners and candles, but they'll never top the real deal. There is something so wonderful about having your very OWN Lilac shrub to welcome spring each year.

Common Purple Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is one of the best Lilac bushes, and in fact, most other Lilac selections are rooted onto the Common Lilac roots! It was brought from Europe in the 1700s and was bred extensively to come up with many new selections still being grown today.

The delightfully fragrant flowers are large and profuse, and they provide fantastic spring color. They are showy in the landscape and make knockout cut flower arrangements. You'll create happy memories with this plant.

Lovely clusters of lavender flowers grow from the branch tips in mid-spring. They make a wonderful contrast to the dark green, heart-shaped leaves. Cold hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 7, these plants bloom reliably in cold climates.

This large, carefree woody shrub has been a favorite for generations because they are so easy to grow. It is very hardy and can withstand really severe winters down to -40 degrees! Ancient Lilacs have been found growing around old farmsteads that are hundreds of years old.

You'll love it! So will neighborhood butterflies, pollinators, and hummingbirds. They'll be drawn to your yard by the delicious scent and fabulous color!

Planting and Application:

The extreme hardiness of this plant makes it excellent for exposed windy locations in those cold areas. Include Lilacs in windbreaks and shelterbelts for color and fragrance. This is a stunning choice as an accent plant, hedge, or privacy screen in many places around your yard. Try pairing it with other Lilac cultivars to extend the season of bloom. For a colorful hedge, add pink, yellow, Persian, and white Lilacs.

As you know, the real reason everyone wants this is for that amazing fragrance. Don't forget to use one near your bedroom windows or along the garden path. You'll want to enjoy that fragrance when they are blooming! Plant a special specimen Lilac as a focal point near your windows and patio where they can be seen, smelled, and enjoyed. You'll adore the late spring flower power and unbeatable fragrance that Common Purple offers!

Give Common Purple Lilac plenty of room to develop into its full size. This one wants to grow into a wonderful rounded deciduous shrub for you! This wonderful variety will look fantastic as a big, bold untrimmed hedge or screening plant in open sunny locations. Plant them 3-4 feet apart (measuring from the center of one to the center of the next) for a tight hedge.

We recommend buying the largest size we have in stock to get a jump start on your friendly, living Lilac fence. If you have lots of space to cover, you can space them out 4-5 feet. Plant a Common Purple Lilac trained as a tree or native shrub out in the open as a barrier between a roadway or to define your property with a large screen. Closer spacing makes a solid hedge or screen sooner, rather than later.

They are a great plant to use in a natural grouping in open lawn areas. Remember that an odd number of plants is most pleasing to the eye. Try a triangular planting or create a staggered row of 5 or 7 in a zig-zag as a backdrop to a mixed shrub or perennial border. Easily extend the height of an existing hardscape fence with a long row of these durable beauties. Or, use them in place of a new fence. Your neighbors and your pocketbook will thank you!

Start your own Lilac collection by mixing up your plantings with some different colors and sizes of Lilac, or for a specimen accent or the Common White Lilac for color diversity! Mix among other flowering shrubs and ornamental patio trees!

We honestly can't think of a nicer housewarming present. Lilacs make incredibly meaningful memorial plants and can celebrate the birth or adoption of a child.

Extremely Fragrant Purple Flower Panicles
Butterfly Magnet Blooms & Reliable Flowering
Tall & Wide Vigorous Growth
Very Cold Hardy & Rugged Native Lilac
Hedge, Cut Flowers, Pollinators, Specimen & Screens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

You won't have to worry about this hardy native plant! For the best results, plant Common Purple Lilac in well-drained soil in a spot where it gets full sun for most of the day. Give your new plants an even schedule of moisture to ensure a successful transplant. Plant your Lilacs where they get full sun for the best bloom. Keep lawn fertilizer away from the roots, as high nitrogen fertilizers can make nice foliage but may not allow for the best flowering.

Just be sure to check that your soil drains well. If you see puddles in your planting site after a rainstorm, you'll want to "mound up" before planting. Simply add more soil in a mound that is 18 - 24 inches higher than your native soil line. Plant directly in that mound. Lilacs won't tolerate wet soils, so give it a great start for the best success.

You can plant most any time from early spring right into late fall. Apply mulch around the base of the shrubs and extend it out at least a few feet. You'll want to give the Lilacs their own mulched bed to thrive in.

If you live in deer country, you'll be pleased to know that this "old-fashioned" Common Purple Lilac is not a preferred food for deer. However, you'll want to spray with Deer Spray when you plant yours, just to remind Bambi that he doesn't like the taste. Follow the directions on the bottle.

Don't miss a single bloom! Follow these easy Pruning steps for the best flowering:

Any light pruning should be done right after the panicle flowers are finished blooming. It is very important to trim as the flowers fade because the new growth that follows makes the Lilac flowers for the next spring. Trimming too late can eliminate flowers for the next year.

You can prune these large shrubs into small, specimen Lilac trees by removing lower limbs and exposing the multi-branched structure of these lovely plants!

Once your Lilac plants have been growing for about 10 years, you'll want to start a regular schedule of renewal pruning and removal of suckers (when needed). After the blooms fade, cut a few of the oldest, thickest branches right down to the ground each year. The younger, thinner branches remain and keep your plant vigorous and healthy.

Renewal pruning is great for your Lilac shrub. Removing the oldest growth lets the new branches take their turn. The youngest branches will produce the best bloom for you the following spring. Prune to keep an open interior to reduce the chances of powdery mildew.

Full Sun
Moderate Consistent Moisture
Loves Mulched Beds & Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Prune Immediately After Flowering Only
Not Preferred By Deer
Easy Care, Cold Hardy & Versatile

Native hardy blooms and alluring fragrance, the lovely lavenders of the Common Purple Lilac bush will add classic beauty and reliability to your landscape! Nature Hills has one of the widest selections of Lilacs available, and we get calls every day from people searching for the classic old-fashioned Lilac … Well this is it!

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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.

Common Purple Lilac

Syringa vulgaris