Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Syringa vulgaris ‘Katherine Havemeyer'
Katherine Havemeyer Lilac
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Height
- 8 to 12 ft
- Width
- 6 to 10 ft
- Flower color
- Soft lavender-pink, fully double, highly fragrant flower clusters
- Foliage color
- Medium to dark green, broadly heart-shaped leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid spring
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- 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 'Katherine Havemeyer' is a classic French lilac with dense, conical panicles packed with fully double florets. Buds open mauve to lilac-pink, often softening toward lavender-purple as the clusters mature, and the flowers carry a strong, sweet fragrance. Heart-shaped, mid-green leaves provide a clean backdrop through the growing season.
Blooming in mid to late spring, the flower trusses sit prominently at stem tips and are excellent for cutting. This cultivar originated in France, introduced by the Lemoine nursery in the early 20th century. After the main flush, spent clusters may be followed by small seed capsules while the leafy framework keeps its garden presence into summer.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Hedging & Privacy · Fragrant Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Abelias · Tufted hair grass · Stonecrop · Coneflower · Agastache · Blazing star
Design tip
Build a soft spring palette around ‘Katherine Havemeyer’s’ naturally changing flower color. Its mauve and lilac-pink buds gradually soften toward lavender-purple, allowing neighboring plants in related pink, lavender, and violet tones to create a layered effect without relying on sharp color contrasts.
