Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Check out the color on this lilac! It’s so vivid you can almost smell that unforgettable lilac scent. This lilac has been given a serious makeover while maintaining all those wonderful characteristics that we love about them. With its profuse, intense purple blooms, and familiar perfume, this is not your grandmother’s lilac although she would love it if it were. A classic, old fashioned favorite once found growing on many properties back in the day, this lilac is sure to bring up some memories of her garden.
A cottage garden favorite, its flowers are born on the tips of long slender branches from buds held tight over the winter which emerge from the unfurling foliage in late spring. Flowering from late May to early summer this lilac is a beautiful addition to any garden, perennial border or as a hedge. Planted amongst a background of flowering trees with a similar flowering time this lilac would certainly stand out. A real show stopper!
Yankee Doodle Lilac Care
For the best flower production lilacs should be planted in a spot that will receive full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. Anything less and you will see little to no blooms from your lilac. They prefer a well-drained, alkaline soil and should be watered frequently until they are well established as they prefer not to dry out. Plant in a site that has been amended with either cow manure or compost to the existing soil. Follow up about a week later with hydrated lime applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Prune or deadhead lilacs immediately after flowering so as to not sacrifice next year's blooms.
Yankee Doodle Lilac Spacing
Lilacs can reach a height of 8 to 10 feet with a 6 foot spread. Under the right conditions they do well as hedge or as an accent planting in a perennial border provided that they are given the space they need. If planting as a hedge, space the plants out 5 feet apart, center on center. If you do not want a hedge, then plant at least 6 feet apart, center on center. And plant 3 feet away from any structures or other plants.
Yankee Doodle Lilac Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (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
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 8-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 8-10+ Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Spreading, Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Purple
- Flower Description
- 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
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Yankee Doodle Lilac
- Botanical Name
- SYRINGA VULGARIS 'YANKEE DOODLE'
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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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
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!