Syringa vulgaris
Common name: 
Common Lilac
Pronunciation: 
si-RING-ga vul-GAH-ris
Family: 
Oleaceae
Genus: 
Syringa
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous shrub, 10-15(20) ft [3-4.5(6) m], upright, leggy, irregular outline.  Leaves opposite, simple, ovate or broad-ovate, 5-13 cm long, acuminate, entire, dark green to almost bluish green.  Flowers borne in large (10-20 cm long), terminal, upright clusters, lavender (common) or white, very fragrant.  Fruit an elongated capsule, 1-1.5 cm long, somewhat flat, smooth, apex pointed, brown, persistent.
  • Sun, grows better in colder climate, prefers neutral or lime soil.  At least 400 cultivars, possibly even more than 800!
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 3      Native to the mountains of eastern and southern Europe
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: behind Ag. and Life Sciences.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • leaves

    leaves

  • leafy shoot

    leafy shoot

  • flowering branches

    flowering branches

  • flower clusters

    flower clusters

  • flower cluster, white

    flower cluster, white

  • fruit, fall

    fruit, fall

  • plant habit, fall

    plant habit, fall

  • leaves, fall

    leaves, fall

  • winter twigs, buds

    winter twigs, buds