Lilac - Syringa Josée - Royal - ORG

A lilac is the sort of plant you simply can’t ignore once it’s in bloom. The Syringa Josée happily joins in, but without immediately taking over half the garden. This compact lilac grows in a rounded, bushy shape and remains nicely manageable at a height of around 1 to 1.5 metres. Ideal for a smaller garden, a border or a spot where you want the atmosphere of a classic lilac but don’t want a huge shrub.

Pink blossoms with that unmistakable lilac scent

In spring, the flowers appear in dense clusters. The colour is a lovely shade between lilac and pink, giving the shrub a soft, natural look. And then, of course, there’s the scent. Josée has that recognisable, sweet lilac scent that makes you stop and linger for a moment. So feel free to plant her in a spot you pass by regularly, such as near a patio, pathway or window. You’ll simply get more out of her there than if she were tucked away at the back of the garden. The flowers also attract pollinating insects.

An encore after spring

Whilst many lilacs quietly carry on growing foliage after their spring bloom, Josée has another trick up her sleeve. Under the right conditions, she can produce flowers again later in the summer and into autumn. That second bloom is less exuberant than the first, but that’s precisely why it feels like a lovely encore when the garden has already passed its spring peak. In cooler climates, this second flush of flowers is usually at its best.

A little piece of spring that returns every year

Josée is not a fussy shrub. Ideally, give her a sunny spot and nutritious, well-drained soil. Neutral to slightly calcareous soil suits lilacs well. Pruning is usually hardly necessary; if the shape needs a bit of a tidy-up, it’s best to do this lightly after flowering. This way, you keep the compact, natural shape beautifully intact and give the plant plenty of room to flower again the following season.