Betsy Ross Lilac

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8-10 Feet

Mature Spread

10 - 13 feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

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.