Lilac isn’t just a showstopper when it’s standing solo or grouped with its own kind—it also looks fantastic alongside a variety of other garden favorites. Those soft, classic shades of white, violet, pink, and yellow are incredibly versatile and easy to pair.
Mixing Lilac with Lilac: The Best Varieties to Pair Together
In most of our backyards, the Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is the star of the show in those iconic purple hues. But there are actually tons of other lilac varieties out there that play really well together. While the standard lilac usually kicks off its bloom time in May and wraps up by June, you can actually keep the party going much longer. By picking varieties that bloom into summer or even fall, you can seriously extend that heavenly scent in your garden.
Try combining these varieties for a non-stop bloom season:
- Syringa hyacinthiflora (April to May)
- Syringa vulgaris (May to June)
- Syringa “Miss Canada” (Late May to early June)
- Syringa swegiflexa (June to July)
- Superba (June all the way into fall)
Even though it’s not technically a true lilac, the Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) is another great companion. It comes in gorgeous shades of purple, white, blue-violet, and pink. The best part? As the name suggests, it’s a total magnet for butterflies, making your summer garden feel extra magical.
Pairing Lilacs with Other Plants
When you’re choosing neighbors for your lilac, it’s not just about looks—you’ve also got to think about “roommate compatibility.” You want plants that enjoy the same sun and soil conditions. Since lilacs are total sun-worshippers, you shouldn’t plant them next to anything that craves deep shade. Also, give them some breathing room! Lilacs have a mix of deep and shallow roots, so they need their space to spread out.
Maintenance-wise, you’ll want to stick with plants that share similar tastes. Lilacs prefer well-drained, somewhat sandy soil. Pairing them with a plant that needs constant “wet feet” or heavy clay soil is usually a recipe for trouble. Here are some of my favorite plants that make excellent neighbors for lilacs:
- Laburnum (Golden Chain Tree)
- Viburnum (Snowball Bush)
- Crape Myrtle
- Mock Orange (Jasmine)
- Hydrangeas
- Roses
- Flowering Cherry trees
- …and so many more!
