President Grevy French Lilac

Syringa vulgaris ‘President Grevy’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 8-12′

Width at Maturity: 6-8′

Spacing: 5-6′ for solid hedges; 12′ or more for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright

Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

Flower Color: Lavender-Mauve buds open to Powder Blue flowers

Flower Size: 8-10″ clusters of small flowers

Flowering Period: Mid to Late Spring

Flower Type: Single, in Clusters

Fragrant Flowers: Yes, extremely fragrant!

Foliage Color: Rich Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average

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

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 6.5-8.0 (Neutral)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Butterflies, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold temperatures (-40F), Deer, Disease, Drought (Moderate when established), Insect, Salt Soil

Description

A true classic that was given the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1886, ‘President Grevy’ is a French Hybrid Lilac treasured by gardeners around the world. In mid spring it features abundant large conical clusters of mauve buds that open to extremely fragrant powder-blue flowers. The lovely two-tone effect is breathtaking! The flowers are excellent for cutting and enjoying indoors. The butterflies love them. The rich green, heart-shape leaves remain attractive through summer. A tall grower 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, President Grevy can be grown as a large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small tree. Being a French hybrid, this one does not produce suckers. One of those plants that will always have you looking forward to spring, plant this sensory wonder near a window or patios, decks and other outdoor living spaces where the pretty blooms and heavenly fragrance can be enjoyed from close up. Cold hardy to -40F and deer resistant.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, the President Grevy Lilac can be grown as a large shrub or small tree. As a shrub it makes a fine specimen or tall 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, blue theme gardens, cut flower gardens, butterfly gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 6 feet apart for solid hedges; 12 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

The President Grevy 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 acid 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.

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