Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Syringa Virtual Violet™ ('Bailbridget'), commonly known as Virtual Violet Lilac is a gamechanger for lilac shrubs. New leaves emerge shades of violet and are shiny. The leaves are deciduous and mature to a lush emerald green color. Magenta-colored buds appear in spring and open into large panicles of purple flowers. The flowers have a lovely fragrance and are excellent for cutting. Both the deep purple stems and smooth gray bark are highly ornamental.
Virtual Violet is an upright multi-stemmed shrub with a dense growth habit. It reaches 6 - 8 feet high and spreads to 5 - 7 feet wide. It is exceptionally cold hardy down to zone 3 and requires minimal winter care. This lilac would make a lovely flowering hedge or a fragrant accent plant for an entryway or cut-flower garden. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and bees.
Virtual Violet Lilac Care
This shrub blooms best in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. It prefers moist, well drained soil, but is not particular about pH level or soil texture. Water deeply during the first growing season to give it a good start, especially on hot summer days. Add a heap of compost around the root zone to keep the roots cool and reduce evaporation. Fertilizing is not necessary, but you can add a slow-release formula in the spring to increase flower production.
This shrub does not require extensive pruning. It blooms on old wood so prune just after flowering if you would like to reduce its size. You can remove dead or damaged branches any time of the year.
Virtual Violet Lilac Spacing
For mass planting, space these shrubs approximately 7 feet apart on center to allow them to reach their mature width. Space them approximately 5 feet apart if planting a tight hedge where branches from adjacent plants will touch. Virtual Violet does not perform well in containers because of its larger size.
Virtual Violet 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
- 6-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 5-7 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Purple
- Flower Description
- Light Purple
- Bloom Time
- Late 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, Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Virtual Violet Lilac
- Botanical Name
- SYRINGA X 'VIRTUAL VIOLET'
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.
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