Sensation Lilac

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

12 - 15 Feet

Mature Spread

8-10+ Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

The sophisticated Sensation Lilac, or Syringa Vulgaris Sensation, grows lovely purple-red florets with eye-catching white outlines on each petal. With contrasting heart-shaped, deep green foliage, the flowers stand out and easily attract the attention of both butterflies and hummingbirds. This shrub will reach a maximum height of about 15 feet and a spread of approximately 12 feet. Blooming abundantly around the early to mid-springtime, your shrub will quickly become covered in lovely purple florets.

Native to the Balkan peninsula, this sweetly scented shrub is deciduous, shedding its leaves upon reaching maturity and allowing for fresh new ones to take their place. The Sensation Lilac’s branches grow vertically, making them ideal for use in a beautiful, mixed bouquet. Fully disease resistant and drought tolerant, this tough shrub can be used in borders, beds, and for mass planting and doesn’t require much maintenance to maintain their health.

Sensation Lilac Shrub Care

To plant your new Sensation Lilac, it must be in an area where it can take in the full sun. You must dig a hole big enough to allow its roots to spread comfortably. Then, spread the roots around, giving them ample room, and fill it with dirt so that the shrub’s crown is at the same level as the soil. Well-drained soil that is enriched with hummus with either alkaline or neutral pH type is the ideal choice for this shrub. To keep your shrub as healthy as possible, you should aim to water it on a weekly basis, possibly more frequently in cases of extreme heat. 

If you want your shrub to grow more vigorous blooms, you can deadhead spent blooms at the main stem to prepare it for next year’s growth. However, you should avoid pruning completely after the summertime, as doing so can obstruct future blooming. Additionally, when Sensation Lilacs grow too high, they may produce fewer blooms. To prevent this issue, you can cut off approximately a third of its main stems down to about 15 inches over the soil.

Sensation Lilac Shrub Spacing

You should plant your Sensation Lilacs no closer than 6 feet apart to accommodate for the shrubs’ full spread when planting in hedges. In addition, your shrubs should be planted away from walls as the wall’s temperature can disrupt and hinder its overall growth.