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Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

Commonly planted, persistent and naturalizing around old farms. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
8–16 feet
Spread
6–12 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist
See native alternatives

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    Similar height, spread, evergreen or deciduous

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At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
April to May

Recorded in 20 Virginia counties.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

30CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · 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
Also known as

Common Lilac

Conservation status

Virginia rankSNA
Global rankNot available
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source

Sources