Lilac Tree Varieties, Diseases & Care

Lilac Tree Varieties, Disease Treatment and Pruning Tips

There’s no surer sign that spring is here than a blooming lilac tree (Syringa sp.).

Their colorful clusters of flowers and magnificent fragrance make the lilac tree a favorite shrub among arborists, gardeners, and non-gardeners alike.

lilac flowers

Common Lilac Tree Varieties

There are over 20 species of lilac tree and more than 1,000 varieties. Blossoms appear for almost two weeks, primarily during May, and come in seven different colors. Even after the blooms are gone, the green, heart-shaped leaves add depth and character to the landscape. Choosing the right species ensures long-lasting beauty in your garden.

Lilac trees are hardy, medium to large shrubs that are easy to grow and can last for hundreds of years. Most common lilac varieties prefer direct sunlight and neutral soil with good drainage.

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Here are some of our tree service specialists’ favorite lilac tree varieties:

Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris). A beloved classic. The common lilac ranges in height from 7 - 15 feet tall with a spread of leggy branches 6 - 12 feet, forming an asymmetrical crown. Flowers are purple to white and very fragrant. It works well in a shrub border or as a screening plant.
Persian Lilac (Syringa persica). This variety is smaller (4 - 8 foot high and 5 - 10 foot spread) and dense, and has been cultivated since time immemorial. Its elegant arching branches have abundant panicles of lavender flowers, making it a lovely addition to a small garden or border.
French Lilac (Syringa vulgaris). If you’re looking for a unique and dramatic lilac tree, consider the ‘Sensation lilac’ (a/k/a French lilac), ranging 10 feet high and 6 feet wide. Blooms are deep purple with a bright white edging. They produce a wonderful perfume and a spectacular display.
Miss Kim Lilac (Syringa patula). This variety is a hardy compact shrub (5 feet high by 5 feet wide) from Korea whose purple buds turn into lavender blooms when most other varieties have ended. Miss Kim lilacs add exceptional deep red fall color to the landscape.
Japanese Lilac (Syringa reticulata). This is a very interesting small ornamental tree with white, showy flowers in the spring and tan fruit in the fall and winter. It also has a distinctive dark bark with white lenticels

You can extend your display of lilac tree flowers for as much as 6 weeks by planting different lilac tree varieties.

Lilac flowers

If you’d like to establish lilac tree varieties in your landscape, our consulting arborists can help you purchase and plant new lilac trees. For a complimentary consultation with a certified arborist, contact the location nearest you.

Planting Your Lilac Tree

Now that you’ve picked your preferred lilac tree, it's time to plant it! When selecting from different cultivars like the Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) or the smaller Persian Lilac (Syringa persica), find one that fits your landscape's size and aesthetic. When you plant lilac trees, choose a sunny location—sunlight is key for strong buds and abundant flowering throughout the growing season. Though lilacs can tolerate partial shade, they need at least six hours of direct sun for the best growth.

Well-drained soil with consistent moisture helps lilac roots establish properly, especially in the first year. Fertilize in early spring to promote healthy lilac stems, leaves, and blooms. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Regular pruning is essential to maintain overall health and structural integrity, ensuring your lilacs thrive every year.

Lilac shrubs and bushes reward thoughtful planting and maintenance with unmatched fragrance and color. Give your lilac the care it needs, and it will reward you with stunning blooms and fragrances season after season.

Lilac Pruning

Pruning is an essential part of lilac care. The key is to prune them after flowering, since next year’s flowers are produced in the summer. Older, leggy stalks can be cut to the bottom of the plant, while younger shoots should be cut back by approximately half, to where the branches are joined together.

Early tree pruning encourages healthy growth and helps remove dead or crowded branches. Increased sunlight and airflow help reduce the risk of disease and promote strong, vibrant foliage. Regular pruning also limits suckers that compete with the main roots and supports a more structured shape.

Fertilizing Your Lilac Tree

To keep your lilac tree healthy and blooming, proper fertilization is essential. Newly planted lilacs benefit from fertilizers or biostimulants like SavATree’s ArborKelp®, which supports early root development and can improve stress resilience.

As lilacs mature, they thrive with light seasonal feedings of fertilizers that contain essential macro and micronutrients. Over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen products, can lead to excess leafy growth at the expense of flowers. A soil test can help determine if phosphorus or potassium is needed to encourage blooming.

Planting your lilac in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with full sun exposure sets the stage for optimal growth. SavATree’s ISA Certified Arborists can tailor a fertilization plan to support strong stems, lush foliage, and abundant spring flowers while increasing resistance to pests and diseases.

Lilac Tree Diseases and Insect Conditions

Powdery mildew is the most common tree disease to inflict lilac trees. This fungal infection slows the growth of plants, and in some cases may even kill them. Look out for a white, flour-like substance on your lilac’s leaves.

If you do have powdery mildew, an arborist may remove all infected parts of the plant and improve air circulation around the lilac by pruning overcrowded branches. Ensure the plant receives adequate sunlight and avoid overhead watering to reduce humidity levels that favor fungal growth.

Other pest problems to find and watch for include lilac borer, lilac leafminer, and scale insects—especially in zones with high humidity. These pests can damage roots, stems, and reduce flower production.

To ensure long-term health, use a fertilizer that supports appropriate growth, maintain well-drained soil, and avoid planting in deep shade. Taking proactive measures to protect your lilac tree will help build their resistance against potential insect or disease threats and encourage more robust blooming in the spring. Regular monitoring and prompt tree disease treatment are essential to keep your lilac vibrant and healthy throughout the seasons.

If you need help taking care of your lilac tree or want an expert’s assessment, set up a free consult with a fully trained and certified arborists from SavATree. Click here to contact the office nearest you.

Lilac Tree Varieties & Care