Lilac Katherine Havemeyer

A glorious lilac for the larger garden, Syringa vulgaris Katherine Havemeyer is a large, deciduous shrub with an upright, bushy, rather spreading habit. The heart-shaped leaves are mid-green, a pretty foil for the flowers. In May and June, purple buds open to dense spires of strongly, deliciously fragrant, four-petalled, tubular, lavender-blue flowers, which fade to lilac-pink. Give an organic mulch in spring to conserve moisture. Needs very little pruning, just careful deadheading, so as not to damage the young shoots underneath. Good at the back of a sunny border, or in a naturalistic planting. Lilac Katherine Havemeyer holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Well-drained, fertile, humus-rich, alkaline to neutral soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: Late spring and early summer in particular
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 13 (4m) Spread: 13 (4m) in 20 years