Landscaping With Lilacs

Plant a row of lilac shrubs along your property line to create an informal hedge. The upright form of common Syringa vulgaris, also known as the French hybrid lilac, provides a dense screen of foliage from early spring through autumn. Flower clusters range from deep purple to maroon to white, depending on the cultivar.

Suitable for gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, common lilac shrubs reach up to 8 feet in height when fully mature and require routine pruning to keep from becoming leggy over time.

Create a focal point in the garden with a Japanese tree lilac, Syringa reticulata, which grows up to 25 feet and bears white flowers in the early days of summer. Position the large lilac as a specimen plant surrounded by lawn, or set it in a corner of your property to draw the eye across an expanse of garden space.

Requiring only nominal maintenance after it's established, this hardy lilac is resistant to powdery mildew. Japanese tree lilac thrives in zones 3 to 6 and the cooler parts of zone 7.

Place lilac bushes near the house as robust foundation plantings with year-round interest. Accent the flat plane of building walls with the round form of Manchurian lilacs, Syringa patula, which grow 5 to 8 feet high and 4 to 5 feet wide.

The early spring flowers are pink, while in autumn, this lilac's leaves turn deep shades of maroon. Manchurian lilacs, including the well-known cultivar "Miss Kim," are best suited to landscapes in hardiness zones 4 to 7.

Incorporate lilacs into your entryway garden, where the fragrance during flowering time welcomes guests. Place Meyer lilacs, Syringa meyeri, around the deck or patio and near seating areas. These have a moderate, not overpowering scent. Compact, at just 5 to 7 feet high and 3 to 6 feet wide, Meyer lilacs have small leaves that complement later-blooming annuals and perennials in zones 3 to 7.