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Key characteristics

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

Shrubs

Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Pocahontas'

Pocahontas Lilac

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.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Early to mid spring

Find this plant

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.