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Key characteristics

Family: Oleaceae
Height: 10 to 15 ft
Width: 8 to 12 ft
Flower color: Lavender to purple, fragrant flower clusters
Foliage color: Deciduous medium green 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 'R. and B. Mills'

R. and B. Mills Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'R. and B. Mills' is a common lilac selected for richly scented, single florets carried in full, upright panicles. Buds open in mid to late spring, filling the shrub with lavender to purple flowers that read deep and saturated in the landscape. Foliage is medium to deep green with the classic lilac, heart-shaped leaves, creating a dense backdrop that looks fresh well beyond bloom.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Cottage Gardens
Fragrant Gardens
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Avens · Strawberry tree · Betony · Blue grama grass · Thyme · Butterfly bush

Design tip

Balance ‘R. and B. Mills’ saturated purple flowers with quieter foliage-driven plants nearby. Limiting competing spring color gives the full upright panicles greater impact, while varied leaf shapes and textures keep the surrounding planting interesting after the lilac finishes blooming.