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Grow these bloomers to perfume your garden—and your home

Lilac (Syringa x 'Declaration')
Photo by Doreen L. Wynja; written by Kathleen N. Brenzel

Lilac

(Syringa x 'Declaration')

Star-shaped reddish purple flowers appear in large dramatic clusters in early spring. The scent is spicy sweet—the essence of spring. The deciduous shrub reaches 6 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide; it takes full sun, or light shade in the hottest climates. Most lilacs bloom best in regions with winter chill (Sunset climate zones A1–A3; 1–11, 14–16). In mild winter areas (zones 18–22), try Descanso Hybrids.


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