Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Pocahontas'
Pocahontas Lilac
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Height
- 8 to 12 ft
- Width
- 6 to 10 ft
- Flower color
- Deep reddish-purple to wine-purple, 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 'Pocahontas' is an early-flowering lilac with deep maroon-purple buds that open to fragrant, single blooms in rich violet tones. Flower panicles are full and upright, creating a concentrated spring display against fresh green, heart-shaped leaves. Stems cut cleanly for indoor fragrance, and the flower color holds well as the trusses mature.
Blooming in early spring, 'Pocahontas' marks the start of lilac season and continues for several weeks as clusters open in succession. It is an early flowering hybrid lilac (Syringa oblata × Syringa vulgaris) credited to breeder Frank L. Skinner in the 1930's. Foliage remains tidy through summer and can turn bronzy-red in fall as temperatures cool.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Fragrant Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Irises · Italian buckthorn · Sneezeweed · Fountain grass · Rock cress · Flowering quince
Design tip
Build seasonal continuity around ‘Pocahontas,’ rather than treating it solely as a spring bloomer. Its rich violet flowers start the season with strong color, while bronzy-red fall foliage gives the shrub another opportunity to contribute later in the year.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens.
