Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Known for its stunning blue flowers, the President Lincoln Lilac is an old favorite. Syringa vulgaris 'President Lincoln' as it is also known, is a deciduous shrub up to 10 feet tall that produces the bluest of lilac flowers. Wonderfully fragrant, President Lincoln should be grown where its flowers can be enjoyed up close and clipped for a vase.
The President Lincoln Lilac is a vigorous grower that blooms in late spring. Its heart-shaped green leaves are attractive in their own right, but its panicles of flowers are the star of the show. This lilac is hardy in zones 3 to 7 and deer resistant. President Lincoln makes a stunning specimen to plant at the back of a border or use in an informal, yet delightful hedge.
President Lincoln Lilac Care
The President Lincoln Lilac prefers full sun to produce the showiest panicles. It requires a free-draining soil that is fertile and either neutral or alkaline. It will also tolerate a chalky substrate. Water the soil deeply to help this lilac establish and keep the foliage dry, as wet foliage may encourage mildew. Mulch annually with compost to provide a boost in nutrition and fertilize sparingly, if at all.
Pruning is best performed immediately after flowering has finished. Remove all spent blooms and cut back up to one-third of the oldest stems to the ground.
President Lincoln Lilac Spacing
Over time, the President Lincoln Lilac can grow to 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. A minimum spacing of 10 feet between plants is advisable to promote good air circulation and prevent disease.
President Lincoln Lilac Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 7 (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
- 8-10+ Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Purple
- Flower Description
- Lavender-blue
- Bloom Time
- 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
- President Lincoln Lilac
- Also Known As
- Common Lilac, English Lilac, French Lilac
- Botanical Name
- Syringa vulgaris 'President Lincoln'
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
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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!