Need Dwarf Lilac Cultivar Suggestions, Please!

Hi Guys,

Have only just realised how popular the Syringa vulgaris in my back garden seems to be with butterflies recently. Trouble is, it's far too tall so I miss them most of the time, only flowers for about 3-4 weeks and suckers like an absolute mad thing!

So I've decided I'd really love a dwarf Syringa for the front garden. Ideally, I'm after something that eventually grows to about 4-6ft, is wonderfully scented, incredibly attractive to butterflies, extremely long-flowering, non-suckering, wine/burgundy coloured or possibly white.

Any suggestions? This should surely be incredibly easy as I'm not asking for much!

Thanks,

Nick

 

I'm going to give my usual recommendation for syringa microphylla superba. The height and lack of suckering is just what you're after. Flowers are pink, but after the normal flush of flowers around now, it keeps producing on and off all summer.

Alternatively, what you're describing could just as well be a small buddleia. Similar flowers, scent, and butterfly attractiveness. Flowers start a bit later, of course, but keep going all summer.

 

Thanks very much for the recommendation, @Graham B! No, I already have an Ivory 'Buzz' buddleia and adore it, trouble is flowering time is all wrong for my rather esoteric purpose of wanting to attract Brimstone butterflies in Spring! But wow, apart from having my heart set on burgundy your suggestion might just be a perfect fit! I'm planting an Abelia x grandiflora closeby and 'your' lilac's colour may well complement it nicely, too! Right, off to Google that lilac and "Brimstone butterfly" now! LOL

Nick