Depending on the climate and weather, lilacs, one of the most common spring flowers in gardens, bloom as early as the beginning of May. However, the ornamental shrubs not only attract attention because of their unfortunately rather short-lived splendor, but also because of their robustness, longevity - and their sheer size. Depending on the type and variety, lilacs can grow up to six meters high.
Wild lilac can grow up to 6 meters high
How fast does lilac grow?
Lilacs are considered to be comparatively fast-growing and increase in height and width by an average of around 30 centimeters per year. Since the shrub or small tree can grow very old at the same time, some species reach a height of up to six meters. However, this does not apply to all lilacs - some remain quite small at around 150 centimeters in height (and are therefore very suitable for keeping in a bucket) or only reach an average height of up to 300 or 400 centimeters. The width growth is also very different.
Average growth height of different species and varieties
The table below gives you a practical overview of the different growth heights, widths and speeds of popular lilac species and varieties.
| kind | variety | growth height | growth width | growth rate | blossom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syringa vulgaris | wild lilac | 400-600cm | 250 - 350 cm | 20 - 30 cm / year | lilac to violet |
| Syringa vulgaris | 'Souvenir of Ludwig Späth' | 250 - 350 cm | 150-200cm | 30 - 50 cm / year | purple violet |
| Syringa vulgaris | 'primrose' | 400-600cm | 300-500cm | 20 - 40 cm / year | light yellow |
| Syringa vulgaris | 'Mme Lemoine' | 250-300cm | 150-180cm | 20 - 50 cm / year | white, filled |
| Syringa vulgaris | 'Katharine Havemeyer' | 400-600cm | 300-500cm | 20 - 50 cm / year | purple-pink, semi-double |
| Syringa vulgaris | ,Sensation' | 250-400cm | 125-175cm | 20 - 50 cm / year | crimson to violet |
| Syringa vulgaris | 'Michel Buchner' | 250 - 350 cm | 125-175cm | 20 - 50 cm / year | violet, filled |
| Syringa reflexa | bow lilac | 300-400cm | 300-400cm | 10 - 30 cm / year | wine red to dark pink |
| Syringa patula | 'Miss Kim' | 150-200cm | 150-200cm | 10 - 25 cm / year | violet pink |
| Syringa meyeri | 'Josee' | 100-150cm | 60-80cm | 5 - 20 cm / year | lilacpink |
| Syringa meyeri | 'Red Pixie' | 80 - 125 cm | 100-150cm | 10 - 20 cm / year | soft pink |
| Syringa josikaea | Hungarian lilac | 300-400cm | 300-400cm | 20 - 35 cm / year | light purple |
| Syringa chinensis | 'suckana' | 300-400cm | 300-400cm | 10 - 20 cm / year | redpurple |
| Syringa microphylla | 'superba' | 150-200cm | 150-200cm | 10 - 30 cm / year | lilacpink |
| Syringa meyeri | 'Palibin' | 100-150cm | 100-120cm | 5 - 20 cm / year | light purple |
tips
If you want to cultivate a lilac in a tub, choose a variety that stays as small as possible. The vigorous lilac can only be kept at the desired height with heavy pruning, which in turn is often at the expense of flowering.