Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

Not native to Kentucky

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Silky Dogwood
Cornus amomum
Similar growth form, height, spread
Northern Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Similar growth form, height, spread
American Hazelnut
Corylus americana
Similar growth form, height, spread

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Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

30CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Syringa

Acronicta oblinitaSmeared Dagger
Amphipyra pyramidoidesMiranda Underwing, Copper Underwing, Copper Amphipyra
Anania tertialisCrowned Anania, Crowned Phlyctaenia
Callosamia prometheaPromethea Silkmoth, Promethea Moth
Cenopis diluticostanaSpring Dead-Leaf Roller Moth, Oak Cenopis
Ceratomia undulosaWaved Sphinx
Choristoneura rosaceanaOblique-Banded Leafroller Moth, Rosaceous Leaf Roller
Citheronia regalisRoyal Walnut Moth, Hickory Horned Devil
Ennomos magnariaMaple Spanworm Moth, Notchwing Geometer
Harrisimemna trisignataHarris's Three-Spot

Show all 30

Hyalophora cecropiaCecropia Silkmoth, Cecropia Moth
Hyles lineataWhite-Lined Sphinx
Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
Machimia tentoriferellaGold-Striped Leaftier Moth
Manduca jasminearumAsh Sphinx
Manduca rusticaRustic Sphinx
Olceclostera angelicaThe Angel
Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
Paonias myopsSmall-Eyed Sphinx
Papilio glaucusEastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio troilusSpicebush Swallowtail
Paratrea plebejaPlebeian Sphinx, Trumpet Vine Sphinx
Podosesia syringaeLilac Borer Moth, Ash Borer
Pyrrharctia isabellaIsabella Tiger Moth, Banded Woolybear
Sphinx chersisGreat Ash Sphinx
Sphinx drupiferarumWild Cherry Sphinx
Sphinx kalmiaeFawn Sphinx, Laurel Sphinx
Spilosoma virginicaVirginian Tiger Moth, Yellow Woolybear Moth, Yellow Bear
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisEvergreen Bagworm Moth
Tolype velledaLarge Tolype, Large Lappet Moth, Vellada Lappet Moth

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Oleaceae
Hardiness: Zones 3a–7a
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Flower color: Blue, cream, pink, purple or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “Late spring” · USDA PLANTS via EOL TraitBank · Nationwide approximate species characteristics; tolerance categories do not specify sun hours or moisture requirements
Flower color · “Blue, cream, pink, purple or white” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Hardiness · “Zones 3a–7a” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “8–16 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Leaves · “Deciduous” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Moist” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil pH · “Neutral to alkaline” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “6–12 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Common Lilac; Lilac

Conservation status

Kentucky rank	SNA
Global rank	Not available
KY status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source

Sources