Katherine Havemeyer French Lilac

Syringa vulgaris ‘Katherine Havemeyer‘

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-7b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 8-12′

Width at Maturity: 8-10′

Spacing: 7-8′ for solid hedges; 14’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded

Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

Flower Color: Mauve Purple buds open to Lavender-Purple flowers with Pink

Flower Size: Small in 6-8″ panicle clusters

Flowering Period: Late Spring

Flower Type: Double, in 6-8″ panicle clusters

Fragrant Flowers: Yes!

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun; 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay soils to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained; tolerates occasional drought when established

Soil pH: 6.5-8.0 (Neutral)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Butterflies, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold Temperatures (-30F), Deer, Disease, Drought (Moderate when established), Insect

Description

An oldie-but-goodie first introduced in 1922, and has stood the test of time for very good reasons, ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ is a French Lilac that kicks off the lilac blooming season of sensory appeal in your landscape featuring very large, 6 to 8 inch long panicles of dark mauve-purple buds that open to gorgeous, wonderfully fragrant, lavender-purple double flowers that contrast beautifully with the heart shaped, lustrous green leaves. It’s no wonder this variety has been gracing gardens for over a century! The blooms make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements to perfume your home. The butterflies and beneficial pollinators will also thank you for planting this one.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to 8 to 12 feet tall and almost as wide, the Katherine Havemeyer Lilac can be grown as a large shrub or small tree. As a shrub it makes a fine specimen or mid-size hedge. As it grows taller, lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive small multi-trunk tree. Plant near paths, walkways and outdoor living spaces where the wonderful fragrance can be enjoyed. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, purple theme gardens, cut flower gardens, butterfly gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 7 to 8 feet apart for solid hedges; 14 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

The Katherine Havemeyer Lilac is easy to grow in a moist but well drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil pH between 6.5-8.0. Pelletized agricultural lime can be applied to sweeten the soil. Fertilize once, in early spring, with a light application of an organic plant food or slow-release shrub & tree fertilizer. Prune as necessary right after bloom in spring.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop monitors or below on mobile devices.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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