Best Lilacs for Mild Climates

Photos by Monrovia: Doreen Wynja

In mild-winter climates, you can’t pop just any lilac (Syringa vulgaris) into the ground and be treated to a bounty of blooms come spring. Most lilacs need a long period of winter chill for buds to mature and bloom the following spring. You’ll need to buy low-chill varieties. The good news is that cultivars have been bred for warmer zones (generally to zone 8). While lilacs aren’t fussy, they require extra care in warmer zones. Depending on your climate and the particular variety, expect blooms from March into May. We asked Monrovia Craftsman Lydia Gompper to recommend the best varieties for mild-climates. Here are her suggestions and care advice. (See her ideas about how to landscape with these romantic, wonderful flowering shrubs.)

Six Favorite Low-Chill Lilacs

Angel White
Lilac

Zones: 3 - 8

Spectacular pure-white flowers bloom in mid-May. Up to 12' tall, 10' wide.

Lavender Lady
Lilac

Zones: 3 - 8

Ideal for warm winter areas, with perfumed lavender flowers that bloom in mid-May. Up to 12' tall and 6' wide.

Blue Skies®
Lilac

Zones: 3 - 8

A favorite for zones with mild winters, with sweetly-scented, lavender-blue flowers in mid-May. Up to 10' wide and 6' tall.

Old Glory
Lilac

Zone: 5 - 8

Fragrant, bluish-purple flowers in more humid areas. Up to 11' tall and wide.

Little Darling®
Lilac

Zone: 4 - 8

A compact lilac that blooms twice a year with large clusters of fragrant flowers. Up to 4' tall and wide.

Miss Kim
Korean Lilac

Zone: 4 - 8

Clusters of late-blooming lavender-blue flowers bloom on an upright and more compact habit. Up to 8' tall and wide.

Tips for Keeping Your Lilac Happy

Full sun; at least 6 hours per day.
Avoid over-crowding which can encourage powdery mildew.
Avoid planting near lawns; year-round watering can prohibit dormancy.
Until established, water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
In warmest zones, after third season of growth, hold off watering starting in late September. This will induce winter dormancy; begin watering late February.
Fertilize in late winter with an organic balanced 10-10-10 food.
Prune right after bloom (and no later than June).

2017-02-25 04:12:00

SHOW COMMENTS

koby

2017-01-07 23:49:47

The white and the purple -red ones are amazing .i live in Israel and tried 4 times to grow Persian Lilac-and faileld.my neigboure have a beautiful one that blooms every March.The winter here is miled and short(2month)and the summer is 6 month and hot and humid (sorry for my English)in high mountains the winter is longer and cooler.there you can grow them (The Persian) and even Cherrys and Aples

Liz Bowen

2017-03-10 04:38:31

I see no Lilacs for Zone 9 as mentioned, only to Zone 8

Kate Karam

2017-03-10 05:35:45

Hmm, I don't see zone 9 mentioned here. I will say that I live in zone 9 and have grown Lavender Lady for years. I don't get huge bounty of blooms mind you, but enough for a vase or two.

Lpmay

2017-03-21 04:29:06

Would any of these grow in Ft. Worth Texas?

Lois casteen

2017-03-28 17:56:12

20025 nc hwy 210

Ann Cook

2018-02-18 12:55:38

Where can lilac bushes be bought in Tuscaloosa, al area or Commerce,TX area nurseries

Walter Boyer

2018-03-11 10:16:04

I read many articles about mild winter lilacs ( "Lavender Lady" and "Blue Skies" in particular) being hybridized for the zone 8 and zone 9 markets. But when I visit webpages of nurseries, it lists the said plants as zones up to zone 7 and not zone 9. What is the actual facts on the lilacs? Will they grow and blossom in the zone 9 (either a or b) My nurseries can't even order them here in zone 9.

Paula Steinbach

2018-04-30 18:25:54

Are there any lilacs that will grow and bloom in Southern California (Ontario)?

Debra

2018-06-13 05:48:37

What is the MOST fragrant lilac for zone 8?

Cindy

2018-07-06 02:11:53

Which is the best, strongest and has the most Aromac of the Lilac trees for Barrie, Ontario?

Bonnie M Nedza

2019-03-28 19:07:34

I live in AZ, do you sell the low chill lilac bushes any stores in Tucson/Marana, AZ?

Mary B Osborn

2020-05-02 23:16:43

I live in Stockton, CA. San Joaquin Valley. What are my odds with lilac growing successful?

Beverly Valk

2020-06-12 23:45:30

Please if you have a booklet or pamphlets or flyer on your warmer climates for lilacs, please send information to my email address. I dearly love lilacs and Im anxious to try to grow in my yard. I am zone eight.

Kelly McClanahan

2020-06-13 10:42:57

I am trying to find any of these plants for my garden. Been looking for a long time. Can you lead me to a nursery that carries them and when should I look more thoroughly?

Mary Ann Mazza

2020-06-22 05:35:43

I live in the Richmond Virginia area, and my zone is 7A. Which lilac is best for my zone, and when is the best time to plant it. Thank you

Wilma Brber

2021-02-23 00:50:31

When do I plant dwarf lilacs in zone 9?

Megan McConnell

2021-02-25 01:29:14

Hi Wilma, When planting trees and shrubs, you want to give the roots as much time as possible to establish before hot, dry weather hits. In most climates, planting in the fall is the best way to accomplish this.

Erin Gathright

2021-04-08 15:13:02

Where are the lilac varieties suggested in this blog listed? I do not see them anywhere.

Megan McConnell

2021-04-08 18:18:17

Sorry about that! We had some issues with text disappearing when we moved to a new blog platform. We're working to get it fixed. In the meantime, the varieties shown (right to left, top to bottom) are: Angel White, Lavender Lady, Blue Skies, Old Glory, Chinese Lilac, and Miss Kim Korean Lilac.

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Best Lilacs for Mild Climates