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Key characteristics

Family: Oleaceae
Height: 10 to 15 ft
Width: 8 to 12 ft
Flower color: Clear sky-blue to pale blue, single, fragrant flower clusters, opening from pink buds
Foliage color: Medium to dark green, broadly heart-shaped leaves
Bloom time: Mid to late spring
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: 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 ‘Firmament’

Firmament Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Firmament' is a classic common lilac valued for clear, pale lilac-blue flower trusses that open from pinkish buds and carry a sweet, traditional lilac fragrance. In mid to late spring, the single florets are borne in compact, upright panicles that read as "sky blue" in the garden, set against fresh green, heart-shaped leaves. The fragrant panicles are excellent for indoor bouquets.

This cultivar was introduced in 1932 by French breeder Victor Lemoine of Nancy, noted for expanding the color range of common lilacs.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Hedging & Privacy
Fragrant Gardens
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Catmint · Feather reed grass · Salvias · Coneflowers · Lavenders · Sedums

Design tip

Set ‘Firmament’ where its pale lilac-blue flowers can catch the softer light of morning or late afternoon, which brings out their cool blue tones. Dark green foliage nearby provides enough contrast to keep the unusually colored panicles distinct rather than letting them visually fade into the landscape.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)