Lilacs are one of the most beloved spring-blooming shrubs, thanks to their incredibly fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, and more. But when exactly is lilac season? The timing of lilac blooms can vary depending on your location, climate, and the specific lilac variety.
This guide tells you everything you need to know about when the best times are to bloom different kinds of lilacs, so you can plan your garden and yard to enjoy these beautiful flowers all year long.
An Overview of Lilac Blooming Seasons
Lilacs are generally grouped into three main blooming season categories
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Early Blooming Lilacs Bloom in mid to late April. Examples include Syringa meyeri and S potaninii.
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Midseason Blooming Lilacs Bloom in early to mid May The most popular examples are Syringa vulgaris and S x hyacinthiflora,
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Late Blooming Lilacs: Bloom in late May to early June. Examples include S. villosa and S. komarowii.
You can extend the lilac season in your garden from as early as late April to early June by choosing different cultivars that bloom at different times. There are small differences in peak bloom times between varieties even within these groups. Keeping track of when your lilacs bloom every year will help you learn their patterns.
We’ll talk about when the best times are to see some of the most popular types of lilacs so you can plan to enjoy them all spring long.
When Specific Lilac Varieties Bloom
Here’s an overview of peak bloom times for some of the most popular lilac varieties:
Common Lilac
The classic lilac in most people’s minds, common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) shrubs bloom in mid May on average, with some early and late bloomers extending the season from late April to early June. Common lilac shrubs grow 8-15 feet tall. Opt for named cultivars like ‘Sensation’ and ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ for more uniform blooming.
Dwarf Korean Lilac
One of the first lilacs to bloom, dwarf Korean lilacs (Syringa meyeri) open their flowers in late April to early May. They are compact shrubs growing just 4-7 feet tall. Early blooming cultivars like ‘Palibin’ and ‘Ice Dance’ are great choices.
French Hybrid Lilacs
French hybrids (Syringa x hyacinthiflora) bloom in early to mid May, shortly before most common lilacs. They are moderate sized shrubs reaching 8-10 feet tall. Popular varieties include ‘Esther Staley’, ‘Miss Canada’, and ‘Amethyst’.
Late Blooming Lilac
As the name implies, late blooming lilac (Syringa villosa) flowers late in the season, from late May to early June. It is a large shrub growing up to 15 feet tall that prolongs the lilac display into early summer.
Preston Lilacs
Preston lilacs (Syringa x prestoniae) are hybrids that bloom around the same time as common lilacs in May. They are valued for their disease resistance and large, fragrant flower clusters on compact, 8 foot tall shrubs.
Tree Lilacs
Tree lilacs (Syringa reticulata) reach peak bloom in early to mid May, though some cultivars extend the season into late April. These small, flowering trees grow 20-30 feet tall. Popular varieties include ‘Ivory Silk’, ‘Summer Snow’, and ‘Ellen Willmott’.
How to Extend Lilac Season in Your Yard
Here are some tips for enjoying lilacs over the longest possible bloom period:
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Plant early, mid, and late season blooming lilac varieties together.
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Choose compact varieties like dwarf Korean and French hybrids for small spaces.
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Site lilacs in cool microclimates to delay flowering.
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Mix in different colors and bloom forms for continued interest after each variety finishes.
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Add other spring flowers like bulbs, peonies, and flowering trees to complement the lilacs.
With smart variety and site selection, you can revel in breathtaking lilac blooms for up to two months from late April through June. Observe and record bloom times for your specific plants each year to discover their patterns. Soon you’ll be a lilac blooming season expert!
When to Expect Lilacs By Growing Zone
Lilac blooming seasons vary slightly across different USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. Here’s a general overview of when lilacs bloom by zone:
Zones 3-4
In the coolest zones, lilacs bloom in early to mid May on average. Early bloomers may open flowers by late April. Expect the lilac display to continue through late May.
Zones 5-6
The peak lilac bloom period in these zones spans mid to late May for most varieties. Early bloomers start by early May, while late bloomers extend the show into early June.
Zones 7-8
Lilacs bloom earliest in the warmest zones, with flowers opening by mid April on early varieties. Peak bloom runs from late April through mid May for most lilacs. The season winds down in late May to early June.
Caring for Lilacs to Maximize Blooms
To encourage an abundance of lilac blooms each spring, provide the following care:
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Sun: Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours direct sunlight daily).
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Soil: Grow lilacs in fertile, well-draining soil. Neutral to alkaline pH of 6.5-7.5 is ideal.
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Pruning: Prune immediately after flowering by removing old, spent flower clusters.
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Watering: Water regularly until established, then just during drought.
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Fertilizer: Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring.
With proper planting sites and care, your lilacs will reward you with their heavenly fragrance and colorful blooms year after year. Time it right using their bloom seasons as your guide for non-stop enjoyment of lilac season.
What month does lilac bloom?
FAQ
What month are lilacs in season?
Fragrant blossoms in white, violet, bluish, lilac, pinkish, magenta, and purple, in single and double forms, typically begin blooming in late April and reach ….
Is there a difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?
While both lilac trees and lilac bushes belong to the same genus, Syringa, the main difference lies in their growth habit and size. Lilac bushes typically have multiple stems arising from the base, creating a bushy appearance, while lilac trees usually have a single trunk and can grow much taller.
What is the Old Wives tale about lilacs?
Unfortunately, lilacs are now seen as a sign of bad luck, and many people think that bringing them into the house will cause bad luck and even death.
When to buy lilac bushes?
You can plant lilacs in the fall before the ground freezes or in the spring after the ground has thawed. In spring, lilacs are often shipped dormant in bare-root form. The plants are not dead, just dormant.
When is lilac season?
Lilacs can give you color and scent from April to June, depending on where you live and the type of lilac you pick. There are early-season, mid-season, late season Lilac varieties. Lilacs perform best in full sun in fertile, humus-rich, neutral to alkaline, and well-drained soil. Lilacs are very versatile.
When do lilacs bloom?
French hybrids bloom in early to mid May, shortly before common lilacs. They are moderate sized shrubs reaching 8-10 feet tall. Popular varieties include ‘Esther Staley’, ‘Miss Canada’, and ‘Amethyst’. As the name suggests, late lilac blooms late in the season, anywhere from late May to early June. It is a large shrub growing up to 15 feet tall.
What color lilac flowers are in season?
The most common and fragrant lilacs are of the S. vulgaris variety: Try ‘Charles Joly’, a double magenta flower, an early bloomer. Mid-season lilacs include ‘Monge’, a dark reddish purple, and ‘Firmament’, a fine blue. Late-season beauties include ‘Miss Canada’, a reddish-pink, and ‘Donald Wyman’, a pink-purple flower.
When do Japanese lilacs bloom?
Japanese tree lilacs ( Syringa reticulata) can reach 25 to 30 feet tall. Lilac shrubs need a minimum of 6 hours full sun for best flowering. Most bloom in late May; however there are early spring, mid spring, and late-season blooming varieties, as well as new re-blooming varieties, like the Bloomerang® series.
When do lilacs rebloom?
The peak season when lilacs bloom is mid-spring to early summer. However, that timing might differ where you live, depending on your local USDA Hardiness Zones. Peak lilac season can also last longer for growers of reblooming lilac varieties. Which types of lilacs rebloom? When do lilacs bloom in your local Hardiness Zones?
When should you fertilize lilacs?
Lilacs (Syringa spp.) produce clusters of fragrant blooms in shades of white, pink and Fertilize lilac plants in late winter to provide nutrients for a strong blooming season. Early spring, before the flowers emerge, is the best time to fertilize.