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Key characteristics

Family: Oleaceae
Height: 10 to 12 ft
Width: 10 to 12 ft
Flower color: White, very fragrant flower clusters
Foliage color: Deciduous medium green leaves, often turning purplish to reddish-purple in fall
Bloom time: Early to mid spring
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Low to moderate
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly to shape after flowering
Growing zone: USDA zones 2 to 7
Wildlife: Fragrant blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Shrubs

Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Mount Baker'

Mount Baker Lilac

Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Mount Baker' is an early-blooming lilac that flowers in mid spring, often a week or more before common lilacs. Large, fragrant panicles of pure white, single florets open from creamy buds and cover the branch tips. Fresh green, heart-shaped leaves follow quickly and can develop a purple cast in fall, keeping the plant ornamental after bloom.

'Mount Baker' is part of the hyacinthiflora lilacs, a hybrid group created from crosses between Syringa oblata and Syringa vulgaris.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Low to moderate

Bloom time

Early to mid spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Hedging & Privacy
Fragrant Gardens
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Tulips · Bluebeard · Feverfew · Larkspur · Sea thrifts · Beautyberry

Design tip

Capitalize on ‘Mount Baker’s’ broad, upright form by giving it a visually substantial role in the garden. Its abundant white spring flowers provide an early focal point, while purplish fall foliage brings renewed interest to the same area later.