What soil does Preston lilac grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil.

Is Preston lilac hardy?

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Preston lilac be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Preston lilac flower?

Flowering: May–June, pink, purple, white.

How much water does Preston lilac need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Preston lilac cost?

It sells for roughly €32 to €42 in local shops, depending on size.

Preston lilac

Syringa × prestoniae

Preston lilac (Syringa × prestoniae) is a shrub. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €32.

Illustration of Preston lilac — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A large, upright then rounded lilac that flowers a week or two after common lilac, in late May and June, with big conical panicles in pink, purplish or white; the scent is lighter and spicier than that of garden lilac. It is sold as cultivars ('Miss Canada', 'Agnes Smith', 'Royalty', 'James Macfarlane', 'Minuet'), which are extremely hardy, do not sucker and are rarely troubled by mildew. Plant it in full sun in well-drained ordinary garden soil and allow 2 to 3 metres, as it suits a screen or a specimen position rather than a small bed. If you need to prune, do it right after flowering, because next year's flower buds form soon afterwards.

Watch out for

It flowers poorly in shade and sulks in waterlogged soil. It resists powdery mildew well; scale insects and lilac borers are occasional. With age it gets leggy at the base, which you can correct by cutting a few old stems to the ground.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, pink, purple, white

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	2.4–3.5 m × 1.8–3 m
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–June, pink, purple, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	200 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €32

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €32 – €42

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Plants for screening Shrubs for pollinators Low-maintenance shrubs Flowering shrubs Fragrant plants Fragrant shrubs

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