Yankee Doodle French Lilac
Syringa vulgaris ‘Yankee Doodle’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 7-8′
Width at Maturity: 6-8′
Spacing: 5-6′ for solid hedges; 12′ or more for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Upright
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Flower Color: Deep Purple
Flower Size: Large clusters of small flowers
Flowering Period: (Late) Late Spring – 3 to 4 weeks!
Flower Type: Cluster
Fragrant Flowers: Yes
Foliage Color: Blue Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay soils to ensure good drainage), Loam, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH: 6.5-8.0 (Neutral)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Butterflies, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention
Resistances: Cold temperatures (-40F), Deer, Disease, Drought (Moderate when established), Insect, Salt Soil
Description
One of the darkest purple of all Lilacs, ‘Yankee Doodle’ is a late bloomer featuring large and abundant showy clusters of deliciously fragrant deep purple flowers over a period of 3 to 4 weeks. The flowers are excellent for cutting and enjoying indoors, and the butterflies love them. The light blue-green foliage remains attractive through summer. An intermediate grower to 7 to 8 feet high and equally as wide, Yankee Doodle can be grown as a large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small tree. One of those plants that will always have you looking forward to spring, plant this sensory wonder near a window or patios, decks and other outdoor living spaces where the pretty blooms and fragrance can be enjoyed. Cold hardy to -40F and deer resistant.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing to 7 to 8 feet tall and wide, the Yankee Doodle Lilac can be grown as a large shrub or small tree. As a shrub it makes a fine specimen or mid-size hedge. As it grows taller, lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive small multi-trunk tree. Plant near paths, walkways and outdoor living spaces where the wonderful fragrance can be enjoyed. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, purple theme gardens, cut flower gardens, butterfly gardens and cottage gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 5 to 6 feet apart for solid hedges; 14 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
Yankee Doodle Lilac is easy to grow in a moist but well drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil pH between 6.5-8.0. Pelletized agricultural lime can be applied to sweeten the soil. Fertilize once, in early spring, with a light application of an organic plant food or slow-release shrub & tree fertilizer. Prune as necessary right after bloom in spring.
Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop monitors or below on mobile devices.
Plant Long & Prosper!
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