Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Dainty, elegant, and aromatic, Betsy Ross Lilac will add color, grace, perfume, and culture to any location, inside or out. Betsy Ross Lilac, otherwise known as Syringax oblata 'Betsy Ross' and Lilac, is a hardy perennial that blooms with an abundant bounty of fragrant, ivory flowers in the spring beginning in April. Luscious, emerald foliage complements these delicate, airy puffs of white; cuttings of this plant are an ideal way to add color, height, movement, and fragrance to any bouquet. This shrub with its scent wafting in the wind will please anyone within its reach.
Besty Ross Lilac is a compact, rounded perennial, reaching a maximum height of 8 to 10 feet and a spread of 10 to 13 feet. Butterflies and bees, hypnotized by its fragrance and its delicious nectar, will hover for hours amongst this ornamental’s aromatic blooms. Deer resistant, it’s unlikely that a troop of unruly marauders will steal your newfound treasure of white as they sail through your yard ignoring your Betsy Ross Lilac. Native to Asia, this perennial is also drought tolerant, hardy, easy to grow, and shows some resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew.
Betsy Ross Lilac Care
Give your Betsy Ross Lilac at least six hours of bright, direct sunlight and she will thrive. Rich, slightly acidic to neutral soil that’s moist yet well-draining will also help this ornamental plant fulfill its maximum potential. Aim for a soil pH range of 6.5 to 7.0. If your soil is depleted of nutrients, amend it by adding humus and peat moss. Possessing minimal fertilizing needs, feed this deciduous shrub a typical balanced fertilizer annually, preferably before the growing season begins in the spring. To encourage growth and avert fungal disease, conduct a moisture check prior to watering. If the top one to two inches of soil are dry, then water. If not, wait a day or two to conduct another moisture check.
Low maintenance and simple to grow, Betsy Ross Lilac does not require frequent pruning. Once a year, however, it is recommended to prune this shrub, removing dead stems and foliage in order to allow air and sunlight to reach the inner portions of this ornamental plant.
Betsy Ross Lilac Spacing
Betsy Ross Lilac does well when grown individually as a specimen. This shrub also bodes well when grown as part of a border. If choosing to grow this plant in a container, choose a starter pot that is 24 inches in diameter. If grown in a hedge, space these lovely perennials 12 feet apart.
Betsy Ross Lilac Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 8-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 10-13 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Spreading
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Mid-Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Betsy Ross Lilac
- Also Known As
- Betsy Ross Lilac
- Botanical Name
- Syringa X 'Betsy Ross'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!