It's one of the mainstays of the shrub border, with its large fragrant blooms emerging in shades of white, pink and, of course, lilac. The common lilac, Syringa vulgaris brightens up the garden in May and early June and although flowering is shortlived, the wonderful scent and colour of the blooms make it worth growing. Beware, though, of suckers.
It took me ages to remove a huge number from one of my borders when I first moved to my house. Lilacs will grow in most soils and some reach more than 12ft, but don't neglect them or they will become spindly and won't flower as well. Good varieties include S vulgaris Souvenir de Louis Spaeth, producing rich wine red flowers, or the more subtle Madame Lemoine, which bears white blooms. After flowering, cut out thin and unproductive branches.
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