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Key characteristics

Family: Oleaceae
Height: 10 to 12 ft
Width: 8 to 10 ft
Flower color: Pure white, opening from creamy buds
Foliage color: Deciduous medium green leaves
Bloom time: Mid to late spring
Light: Full sun
Water: Low to 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

Shrubs

Syringa vulgaris 'Carley'

Carley Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Carley' is a common lilac selection that blooms in mid to late spring with fragrant, single white florets held in full, upright panicles. Buds often show a faint blush before opening, and the clean, pale flower clusters stand out well against the fresh green, heart-shaped leaves that follow quickly after bloom.

'Carley' is credited to Theodore Havemeyer and is commonly dated to 1953.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low to moderate

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Fragrant Gardens
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

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

Design tip

Let ‘Carley’s’ crisp white flower clusters serve as a visual reset among the stronger colors of the spring garden. Positioned between shrubs flowering in pink, purple, or blue, its neutral blooms can separate competing colors while tying the overall planting together.