Declaration Lilac

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

7-9 Feet

Mature Spread

7-9 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Like other lilacs, the Declaration is beloved in landscapes for its fragrant, attractive flowers and versatility as a shrub. In this case, the plant’s cone-shaped blooms appear up to a foot long and are a striking reddish-purple. Additionally, the Declaration lilac has a smaller, denser form than most other lilacs and only grows 7 to 9 feet wide and tall. This fairly compact form and a relatively early bloom time makes the Declaration an excellent choice for a specimen plant or screen planted where its flowers can be appreciated.

This deer-resistant lilac hybrid is an excellent producer of cut flower flowers, which attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The Declaration has deep green, heart-shaped leaves that combine with the fragrant spring blooms to make it a candidate for flowering hedges. It also works well as a specimen or to provide structure in a perennial bed.

Declaration Lilac Care

The Declaration Lilac requires at least half a day of full sun and will perform best in a site that receives full sun. It tolerates a range of soil types but prefers a moist but well-drained site that is fertile and has a neutral or alkaline soil. Plan to water once or twice per week during dry spells for the first year or two after planting; once established the lilac may only need occasional irrigation during extended hot, dry conditions.

Perform annual lilac pruning after flowers fade. Cut off spent flower panicles and remove any broken, misshapen, or unproductive stems or unwanted suckers at the base and otherwise shape the plant as desired. Lilacs flower on growth from the previous summer, so waiting too late to prune after flowering will affect the next year’s blooms.

Declaration Lilac Spacing

The Declaration is smaller than most other lilacs, and has a medium growth rate, but may take 25 years to reach its full height and spread. Space these plants about 96 inches apart as specimen plants or a bit closer together to form a hedge faster, but remember that the plant prefers good air circulation.