Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'California Rose'

California Rose Lilac

Family: Oleaceae
Height: 8 to 12 ft
Width: 6 to 10 ft
Flower color: Soft rose-pink to light pink, fragrant flower clusters
Foliage color: Medium green, heart-shaped leaves
Bloom time: Early to mid 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 x hyacinthiflora 'California Rose' is an early-flowering lilac selected for dependable performance in milder-winter climates. It leafs out with fresh green, heart-shaped foliage and sets dark pink buds that open to clear, soft pink panicles with classic lilac fragrance.

Blooming in early to mid-spring, the flower trusses arrive about a week ahead of many common lilacs and draw pollinators to the garden. Panicles are excellent for cutting, filling indoor vases with scent for several days. After bloom, the shrub's upright branching and tidy leaves provide a clean backdrop for summer perennials.

Works well in

Sun Gardens · Hedging & Privacy · Fragrant Gardens · Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Peony · Cotoneaster · Wallflower · Fountain grass · Tickseed · Escallonia

Design tip

Give ‘California Rose’ an early-season role where its flowers can signal the transition into spring. Blooming ahead of many common lilacs, its soft pink panicles bring color and fragrance to the garden while surrounding shrubs are still beginning to leaf out.

Where to see it

This plant can be seen at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens.