Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Maiden's Blush'
Maiden's Blush Lilac
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Height
- 8 to 12 ft
- Width
- 6 to 10 ft
- Flower color
- Pale blush pink to soft shell 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 'Maiden's Blush' is an early-blooming lilac that opens in early to mid-spring with fragrant, single florets in pale to medium pink tones. Buds begin a deeper rosy shade, then soften as the panicles expand, creating full, conical clusters held above fresh green, heart-shaped leaves. The flower display arrives ahead of many common lilacs and perfumes paths and entry gardens.
This cultivar belongs to the early-flowering lilacs, a hybrid group derived from Syringa oblata and Syringa vulgaris. 'Maiden's Blush' is recorded in lilac registration references and is widely grown for dependable spring bloom and traditional lilac scent, with clean foliage that carries the shrub through summer after flowering.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Specimen Plants · Fragrant Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Phlox · Pittosporum · Hardy mums · Feather reed grass · Cranesbill · Butterfly bush
Design tip
Make ‘Maiden’s Blush’ part of the garden’s early spring transition, when its rosy buds and soft pink flowers can stand out against newly emerging foliage. Its early bloom brings color and fragrance before many larger spring shrubs reach their peak.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens.
