Sensation French Lilac
Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 8-10′
Width at Maturity: 8-10′
Spacing: 6-7′ for solid hedges; 14′ or more for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Upright
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Flower Color: Bicolor Reddish Purple edged in White
Flower Size: 9″ Clusters of small flowers
Flowering Period: (Late) Late Spring
Flower Type: Single, in Clusters
Fragrant Flowers: Yes
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
Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society, ‘Sensation’ is a French Lilac featuring abundant, large clusters of sweetly fragrant, bicolor reddish-purple flowers with every petal edged in white. The flowers are so profuse they nearly cover the plant and are excellent for cutting and enjoying indoors. The butterflies love them. The rich green, heart shaped leaves remain attractive through summer. A tall grower 8 to 10 feet high and equally as wide, Sensation can be grown as a large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small tree. 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 fragrance can be enjoyed. Cold hardy to -40F and deer resistant.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing to 8 to 10 feet tall and equally as wide, the Sensation 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: 6 to 7 feet apart for solid hedges; 14 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
The Sensation 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.
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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