Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Syringa vulgaris 'Mont Blanc'
Mont Blanc Lilac
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Height
- 10 to 15 ft
- Width
- 8 to 12 ft
- Flower color
- Pure white, single, very fragrant flower clusters
- Foliage color
- Deciduous medium green leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- 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 'Mont Blanc' is a classic French lilac selected for its clean, white flower trusses that open from pale greenish buds. Flowering in late spring, it produces full, conical panicles with a sweet, familiar lilac fragrance that carries well in the garden. Fresh green, heart-shaped leaves create a dense, leafy backdrop that stays attractive through the growing season.
This cultivar was introduced in 1915 by Victor Lemoine of Nancy, France, and remains widely grown for dependable spring display. After bloom, the shrub's upright branching and tidy foliage keep it looking refined, making it a natural fit for borders, foundation plantings, and cutting gardens where stems can be brought indoors for scent.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Fragrant Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Boxwoods · Dwarf Korean fir · Bergenia · Maiden grass · Snowdrops · Agapanthus
Design tip
Create a strong spring contrast by combining ‘Mont Blanc’s’ pure white flower trusses with dark evergreen foliage nearby. The evergreen mass gives the white blooms a crisp backdrop in spring, then provides structure and color after the lilac transitions to its quieter summer foliage.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens.
