The Lilac, or Syringa vulgaris, is a commonly planted shrub that offers fragrance, and nostalgia to many gardens, and armloads of fresh bouquets to the home. Flowers are both single and double, and range from white, blue, violet, pink, purple, and of course lilac. Planted as a specimen or in a mixed border a lilac is a wonderful shrub, offering colour, flowers, fragrance, and golden fall colour.

A relatively easy care shrub, there are a few things that will encourage longevity, health, and loads of blooms. Lilacs produce their flowers on last year's growth, so be sure to do any pruning in early spring, after it has flowered.

The oldest branches should be pruned out regularly in order to encourage new vigorous growth. They are also a sweet soil lover and heavy feeder (it takes a lot of energy to make all those flowers smell so sweet), this means an annual treatment of lime and compost around the base of your shrub. An early spray, of lime sulphur, will help control insects and scale. Finally, it is recommended to remove spent blooms to prevent the shrub from putting unnecessary energy into seed production. A little care and a lilac will last a lifetime!