There are many different varieties of lilac plants, each with its unique characteristics. They come in a variety of different colors, sizes, shapes, and whilst some are fragrant, others are not.
Some bloom in spring, while others bloom in fall and they grow well in most climates. Some lilac plants are native to North America, whilst others originated in Europe.
There are also hybrid varieties and these combine traits from different species. We have written this article to tell you a little more about lilac plants and the variations you might come across.
Lilac Plant Variations
Here are some of the most popular types of lilac plants.
1. Hybrid Perpetual
This variety blooms continuously throughout the growing season. Hybrid perpetual’s are one of the most commonly grown varieties of lilacs.
They are available in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, red, purple, blue, and yellow. They are also known for their fragrance, which lasts well into the autumn.
It is a perennial plant and produces flowers that grow throughout the season. They are usually taller than traditional perennials and they also grow faster. Moreover, once planted, they do not require as much attention as normal perennials making them great for beginner gardeners.
2. Hybrid Double
These lilacs are similar to the hybrid perpetual, but they only flower once every two years. This means that they will produce flowers for around six months before dying down again.
The flowers can be any color, although they tend to be lighter than those produced by the hybrid perpetual. They are also taller and have double blossoms compared to the hybrid perpetual.
3. American Lilacs
These are the largest type of lilac plants. They are usually found growing wild and they can reach up to 10 feet tall. They are very easy to grow and they have long stems. They are also extremely fragrant and are often used as cut flowers. Their leaves are dark green and they are oval-shaped.
4. Japanese Lilacs
Japanese lilacs are the smallest type of lilac plants. They are typically smaller than American lilacs and they can grow up to 4 feet tall. These plants are perfect for small gardens because they don’t take up too much space. However, they do need plenty of light and water.
5. Oriental Hybrid
Oriental hybrids are similar to the hybrid perpetual, except they bloom later in the season. They are also shorter than the hybrid perpetual and they produce a lot fewer flowers. They are ideal for people who want a quick flowering option.
6. Sweet Lilacs
Sweet lilacs are another type of lilac plant that is suitable for beginners. They are short-stemmed and they are easy to care for. They are also good at producing large amounts of fruit. The fruits are edible and they contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.
7. Snowball Lilacs
Snowball lilacs are the best choice if you want something compact and easy to maintain. They are also very fragrant and they look beautiful when in full bloom. They are ideal for planting in containers or hanging baskets.
8. Tutti Frutti Lilacs
Tutti frutti lilacs are the best option for those who like to experiment with different types of plants. They are easy to grow and they are very versatile. You can use them in your garden, on your porch, or even indoors!
9. Alba Lilacs
Alba lilacs are the easiest type of lilac to grow. They are relatively easy to find and they come in many different colors. They are also very hardy and they grow well in all kinds of soil.
10. Hidcote
This variety of lilac has become quite famous over the past few decades. It is a dwarf form of the mugho pine lilac. It only grows between 1.5 and 2 meters high but it produces masses of white blossoms.
11. Lady Banks
This particular variety of lilac was named after Lady Banks, a famous English gardener. She created this variety by crossing two other types of lilac. This means that she combined traits from these other species into a unique hybrid.
12. Sensation Lilacs
Sensation lilacs were developed back in the 1930s. A group of nurserymen came together, selected some seedlings from their favorite lilacs, then bred them together. The result was a stunning lilac tree that produced clusters of bright pink flowers.
13. Grandiflora Lilacs
Grandifloras have been around since the early 1900s. There are several different subspecies of Grandifloras. Each of these subspecies looks slightly different as they vary in color and flower size.
14. Mugho Pine Lilacs
Mugho pines are probably one of the most interesting varieties of lilacs out there. They originated in Japan and they are known for being very cold tolerant. They are also great at blooming even during harsh winters.
15. Wedgewood Blue
‘Wedgewood blue’ is a popular lilac that has gained popularity due to its striking purple foliage. It is said to be an old heirloom variety that comes from England.
16. Charles Joly
Charles Joly is a French lilac that is said to be extremely fragrant. It’s not commonly found though so it may be difficult to locate. It is a great plant for those who like harvesting armloads of cut flowers without giving up the beauty of the outdoor bloom show.
17. Katherine Havemeyer
Katherine Havemeyer is a hybrid lilac that originated in Germany. It is considered a dwarf form of the German black forest lilac. They are a lilac cultivator yet have a long bloom period. It goes well with clematis vines growing through its branches.
18. Madame Florent Stepman
The Madame Florent Stepman is a hybrid lilac. It is a cross between the Japanese mugho pine and the alba lilac. Its flowers are large and its leaves are dark green. It can give a spring garden a beautiful traditional look and goes well with any house color.
19. Tulip Lilacs
Tulips are another type of flowering shrub that you can add to your garden. Tulips are easy to care for and they will provide you with plenty of colorful blooms throughout the year. They do best when planted in full sun or light shade locations.
20. Miss Kim Lilac
This lilac is a cultivator of the S. pubescens type of lilac and they are also known as the Manchurian lilac. When May comes around the lavender fragrant flower announces that Spring has arrived. They are shorter than most lilacs and this makes them great for foundation plantings.
21. Missouri Lilacs
Missouri Lilacs are native to Missouri and they are also known by many names including American lily-of-the-valley, sweet woodruff, and wild bergamot. These plants grow into small trees that produce white or pale pink blossoms.
22. White Lilacs
White lilacs are native to North America and are often used as hedges. They are also called double white because each blossom has two petals. They are usually grown as single specimens but they can also be trained to climb over other plants.
23. Weeping Lilacs
Weeping lilacs are native to China and Japan. They are easily recognized by their weeping habit. The flowers are typically yellowish-white and they smell like honeysuckle.
24. Wisteria Lilacs
Wisteria lilacs are native to eastern Asia and Europe. They are a fast-growing climber that produces clusters of fragrant white flowers.
25. Zauschneria Lilacs
Zauschneria lilacs are native to central Europe and they are also known for producing fragrant lilac flowers. They are excellent climbers and they can reach heights of 20 feet.
26. Mophead Lilacs
Mopheads are the best choice if your garden has limited space. They are compact and they look fantastic when in bloom. They are also very easy to grow and maintain. You should keep an eye on these plants though, as they can get leggy over time.
27. Tinkerbelle Lilacs
These fun bubblegum-pink blooms are great for gardeners with smaller landscapes and, since they do not grow taller than 6 feet in height, they are a perfect compact shape.
28. Superba Lilacs
These little leaf lilacs belong to a subspecies of S. pubescens and they are much broader than other types, growing up to 14 feet in width and only 7 feet high.
They have small flowers that are rosy-pink and provide you with a small rebloom in summer and the fall. They are a rare type of lilac and offer full-season appeal.
29. Meadow Lilacs
These types are bright purple. They are good choices for shady areas. Meadow lilacs are native to Europe and Asia and grow up to 2 feet tall. They produce small, round flowers.
30. Spirea Lilac
These lilacs are native to western North America and Europe and they are also known under a variety of different names such as spirea, mountain laurel, and Virginia creeper. They grow into large shrubs that produce beautiful white or pink flowers.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have learned a little about all the different types of lilacs out there in this article. The lilac is one of the most popular flowering shrubs. It’s easy to grow, attractive to bees, and it provides delicious nectar throughout the year.
If you want to add some beauty to your yard, then planting a few varieties of lilacs will surely make your landscape more interesting. You could even use them at funeral services or gift them at birthdays. Perfect for every occasion. And as always, happy gardening!
