What soil does Meyer lilac grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Meyer lilac hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Meyer lilac be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Meyer lilac flower?

Flowering: May–June, pink, purple.

How much water does Meyer lilac need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: high.

Meyer lilac

Syringa meyeri

Meyer lilac (Syringa meyeri) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high.

Illustration of Meyer 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 slow-growing, dense, rounded dwarf lilac with small leaves that is covered in strongly scented, pale lilac-pink flower clusters in late spring. It suits small gardens, low flowering borders and large pots, and is mostly sold as the cultivar Palibin, both as a bush and grafted on a stem as a small tree. Give it sun and well-drained soil: it takes limy soil, city air and, once established, drought well, and powdery mildew rarely touches it.

Watch out for

It has no serious diseases or pests and resists powdery mildew far better than other lilacs. Its early flower buds can be damaged by frost in early spring, which means a weaker bloom that year. It does not tolerate heavy, airless clay or waterlogging. Lilac leaf miner and aphids can occur. Prune only straight after flowering, because next year's buds form during summer.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.2 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, pink, purple

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.2 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	1.2–2.4 m × 1.5–3 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–June, pink, purple
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	120 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	no data

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

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant shrubs Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Shrubs for pollinators Plants for containers Low-maintenance shrubs Flowering shrubs Fragrant plants Fragrant shrubs

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