There’s nothing quite like the scent of lilacs that fill the air in spring! While lilacs can range in color, there is something so classic and captivating about a stunning blue lilac. But which variety is best? After growing this all star shrub, I can vouch for the Scentara Double Blue Lilac (Proven Winners) as the best blue lilac for your garden.
Let’s dive into the details!
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions and recommendations are my own.
Why You’ll Love Blue Lilacs
Spring is one of my absolute favorite seasons (I’m a summer girl at heart, but being born on Holy Saturday I feel like I’ve always had spring fever in my blood!). Fresh blooms, better weather, (and for us) the feeling that you’ve “made it” through a Chicago winter, and all the new color that pops up throughout neighborhood gardens. I love all of the spring flowers like tulips and daffodils, that just make everyone so cheery, but there’s something so nostalgic about lilacs. From their classic beauty, to their captivating scent, they’re one of those shrubs that gardeners often long for in their own gardens.
And lilacs that boast that classic lavender-blue hue? Pretty perfect I must say.
Before we dive into the details surrounding my recommended Proven Winners Blue Lilac variety, Scentara Double Blue Lilac, these are a few reasons you’ll love blue lilacs in your garden!
Gorgeous Flowers:
- Stunning violet-blue flower clusters, adding a pop of color to your garden.
- Blooms typically in mid-spring, providing early seasonal beauty.
- Varieties showcase single or double blooms, each with its own charm.
- Upright habit creates a stately presence in the landscape, and can be used as a lovely hedge.
Very Fragrant:
- Known for its sweet, floral scent, filling the air in springtime.
- Strength of fragrance varies by variety, but lilacs have some of the most sought-after fragrances in a spring garden.
- Perfect for planting near walkways or windows for maximum scent enjoyment.
Garden Features:
- Generally low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning after blooming in spring.
- Adapts to well-drained soils, thriving in full sun for best blooms.
- Attracts butterflies and other pollinators, creating a vibrant ecosystem.
- Many varieties offer excellent disease resistance.
Popular Blue Lilac Choices:
- Scentara Double Blue Lilac: Exceptionally fragrant, double blooms.
- Bloomerang Lilac: Reblooms in late summer, extending the flower show.
- President Grevy Blue Lilac: Vigorous grower, ideal for screens and hedges.
- Wedgewood Blue Lilac: Compact habit, lavender-blue French lilac
FAQs
- When Do Lilacs Bloom? Lilacs typically bloom in May through early June.
- Are Blue Lilacs really Blue? Well, kinda sorta. Blue Lilacs tend to still be purple or violet in color but often have an undertone of blue that helps them appear blue, especially in different lighting. So depending on the sun exposure, bloom life cycle, etc. the lilacs may appear to be more blueish than not. In many blue lilac variety descriptions you’ll see “violet-blue”, “lavender-blue”, etc.
- Do Lilacs bloom on old wood or new wood? Lilacs bloom on old wood, meaning they bloom on the previous season’s growth, so it is very important to prune them in spring, as pruning later can damage the buds.
The Best Blue Lilac Variety: Scentara Double Blue Lilac
Scentara Double Blue Lilac (lilac syringa hyacinthiflora), by Proven Winners, is an all star of the lilac family! With it’s stunning cool purplish-blue blooms that shine in a lovely blue tone in the spring sunshine, it’s heavily bloomed doubled florets, petals boasting a lovely “sea-shell effect”, excellent disease resistance, and strong fragrance, it’s hard not to love this lilac shrub!
Key Features:
- Fragrance: Often considered one of the most fragrant lilacs available, Scentara Double Blue Lilac is exceptionally fragrant. Sweet, floral scent.
- Blooms: Double-flowered beautiful lavender-blue blooms in large clusters, resembling seashells cascading down the branches, adding a touch of whimsical elegance to your garden.
- Bloom Time: Blooms in mid-spring (May), about 7-10 days earlier than common lilacs.
- Habit: Upright, deciduous shrub growing 6-8 ft. tall and wide.
- Disease Resistance: Excellent resistance to common lilac diseases. Unlike some lilacs prone to various ailments, the Scentara Double Blue Lilac is a champion of resilience. It is very disease resistant, giving you peace of mind and a healthier plant.
- Deer Resistance: Deer resistant.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil (adapts to a wide range), tolerates light shade but best blooms in full sun.
- Hardiness Zone: A cold hardy shrub, good for hardiness zones 2-8.
- Uses: Specimen plant, background planting, informal hedge or screen, attracts pollinators.
- Care & Pruning: Easy care! This low-maintenance beauty thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Just a quick prune after blooming and you’re set!
- Foliage: Rich green heart-shaped leaves provide attractive summer foliage.
Where To Buy Scentara Double Blue Lilac
I always love checking my local garden nursery first before looking elsewhere. Because this is a Proven Winners plant, it should be more readily available in most garden nurseries and even garden centers such as Home Depot and Lowes.
However, if you want to purchase the plant online, here are a few sources:
How To Plant Lilacs
Location & Timing:
- Choose a sunny spot: Aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Plant in fall or early spring: Avoid periods of extreme heat or cold.
- Consider drainage: Lilacs dislike soggy roots, so well-draining soil is crucial.
Preparing the Hole:
- Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball: Deeper is better than shallower.
- Loosen the soil in the bottom and sides: Encourage root growth.
- Mix compost into the soil: Enhance fertility and drainage.
Planting & Care:
- Remove the plant from its container: Gently tease out any circling roots.
- Set the plant at the same depth it was growing in the container: Avoid burying the graft union.
- Backfill the hole with loosened soil: Gently pack in the soil.
- Water thoroughly: Deep watering encourages root development.
- Mulch around the base: This conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.
- Pruning: Remove spent blooms to encourage future growth, but prune heavily only after flowering (remember, lilacs bloom old wood).
Additional Tips:
- Stake young plants for the first year if needed.
- Water regularly during the first year, especially during dry spells.
- Fertilize lightly in early spring before new growth appears.
(Remember: These are general guidelines. Research your specific lilac variety for any specific needs or considerations.)
helpful planting gear:
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this blue lilac is a surefire winner. Its intense fragrance, stunning blooms, and easy care make it a perfect addition to any spring garden!
Let me know in the comments below if you have a favorite lilac variety!
( **If you LOVE all things Home & Garden, including the most gorgeous flowers for your garden, be sure to FOLLOW ALONG ON PINTEREST! )
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