Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Syringa Vulgaris 'Angel White'
Angel White Lilac
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Height
- 8 to 12 ft
- Width
- 6 to 10 ft
- Flower color
- Pure white, highly fragrant flower clusters
- Foliage color
- Deciduous medium green leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid spring
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low to moderate
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate; prune immediately after flowering to shape and remove spent clusters
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 7
- Wildlife
- Fragrant blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
About this plant
Syringa vulgaris 'Angel White' is a deciduous lilac grown for fragrant, pure white flower clusters that open in spring, typically mid-May in mild-winter areas. Creamy buds expand into conical panicles of single florets, carried on upright, open-branched stems. Fresh green, heart-shaped leaves fill in quickly after bloom, keeping the plant attractive through the season.
'Angel White' is part of the heat-tolerant, Descanso lilacs developed through a hybridizing program that began in 1945. The selection was introduced to bring reliable lilac bloom to regions with warmer winters, and it remains valued for steady spring flowering and classic lilac fragrance.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Fragrant Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Phlox · Pittosporum · Hardy mums · Lavender · Cranesbill · Butterfly bush
Design tip
Make the pure white flowers of ‘Angel White’ part of a deliberate spring color scheme by surrounding it with softer blues, lavenders, or cool greens. The restrained palette emphasizes the brightness of the flower clusters while giving this large lilac a more integrated role in the overall planting.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens.
