Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris 'Marie Frances')
Discover Syringa vulgaris 'Marie Frances', a compact Common lilac featuring showy, fragrant, shrimp pink flowers in spring. Low maintenance and deer tolerant.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Syringa vulgaris ‘Marie Frances’ offers gardeners a cherished spring display in a more manageable size than its larger cousins. This cultivar of the Common lilac provides the signature, highly sought-after fragrance that defines spring gardens. It matures into an upright, well-behaved shrub, perfect for providing structure and seasonal perfume.
Ideal for colder regions, the success of this Common lilac relies heavily on adequate winter chill, making it a reliable performer where summers remain relatively cool. The primary ornamental appeal lies in its abundant, shrimp pink flowers, which burst forth in late April to early May.
Despite its relatively low maintenance profile, achieving consistent blooms requires planting Syringa vulgaris ‘Marie Frances’ where it receives uncompromised sunlight. Gardeners value this shrub for its versatility, easily incorporating its classic beauty into borders or using it as a fragrant specimen accent.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Oleaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 5-7 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Shrimp pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting is best done in spring or fall in a location ensuring full sun exposure for the best flower production. Syringa vulgaris ‘Marie Frances’ thrives in average soil, provided it is well-drained. It appreciates rich, medium-moisture soil but must never sit in soggy conditions, which can lead to root issues.
Water needs are medium; establish a regular schedule for young plants, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but never waterlogged. Established shrubs are moderately drought tolerant once established. Fertilization is rarely required if the soil is naturally fertile; avoid over-fertilizing, which can encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of blooms.
Pruning is a critical factor for maintaining shape and ensuring next year’s flowering. Perform all necessary shaping immediately after the shrub finishes flowering in late spring. Deadheading faded panicles before seed set is a minor chore that improves overall appearance. Promptly removing root suckers prevents unwanted colonial spread, especially important for maintaining the distinct form of this cultivar.
Note that this variety is not recommended for very hot, humid climates in Zones 8 and above, as insufficient chilling hours will result in unreliable blooming seasons for your Common lilac.
Landscape Uses
The manageable stature of Syringa vulgaris ‘Marie Frances’ makes it an excellent choice for structured planting schemes. It functions reliably as a dense hedge or screen where intermediate height is required, offering a spectacular springtime floral show. Consider its deep pink tones when integrating it into cottage gardens, where informal masses of color are celebrated.
As an accent specimen, the fragrant spring flowers of this Common lilac draw immediate attention in the early season landscape. Because it is deer tolerant, it provides reliable beauty along perimeter plantings without becoming deer fodder. Pair it with later-blooming shrubs or perennials to extend the seasonal interest once the lilac display has concluded.
This shrub also serves perfectly along the margins of woodland gardens, provided the understory does not create too much shade; remember, light shade is tolerated, but full sun yields the best results for Syringa vulgaris ‘Marie Frances’. Furthermore, its excellent flowers make it a go-to selection when gardeners need reliable stock for spring bouquets.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Syringa vulgaris, commonly known as common lilac, is an upright, multi-stemmed, suckering, deciduous shrub in the olive family that typically matures to 12-16’ (20’) tall with a spread to 8-12’ (15’) wide. It is native to open woodlands, rocky hills and scrubby areas in southeastern Europe, but has been widely cultivated throughout Europe (beginning in the late 1500s) and North America (brought over by colonists in the early 1600s). It is particularly noted for its mid to late spring (May) bloom of very fragrant, tubular, 4-lobed, lilac to purple flowers (each to 1/3” long) which bloom in large conical to narrow-pyramidal panicles (to 6-8” long). Flowers give way to loose clusters of smooth, brown, flattened, dehiscent seed capsules (each to 3/ 4” long) which persist into winter if not removed. Glaucous, opposite, pointed-ovate to heart-shaped leaves (2-5” long) are dark gray-green to blue green. No fall color. Bark is gray to gray-brown. Numerous cultivars have been introduced over time in both single and double-flowered forms. Cultivars extend the range of available flower colors to include shades of white, cream, rose, magenta, pinkish-purple, lavender and purple. Common lilac has few post-bloom ornamental features of note. Significant post-bloom limitations include often leggy shrub form, foliage depreciation from powdery mildew, non-showy fruits and absence of fall foliage color. These shrubs are in large part grown for their flowers and fragrance. It is the State flower of New Hampshire even though it is not native to the U.S.Genus name comes from the Greek word syrinx meaning tube or pipe in reference to the pith-filled but easily-hollowed stems of some genus plants.Specific epithet from Latin means common.Stems of Syringa were once used for pipes. In the same vein, Syrax was a nymph from Greek mythology who was metamorphosed into a hollow willow reed in order to escape the amorous advances of Pan, god of the fields and forests, in further reference to the hollow stems of some genus plants.‘Marie Frances’ is a small, upright shrub which grows 5-7’ tall. Pink, fragrant, single flowers arranged in dense, pyramidal clusters (panicles) cover this shrub in late April to early May.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
The most common aesthetic complaint against the Common lilac is the frequent development of powdery mildew in the summer, which displays as unsightly whitish-gray patches on the foliage. While this rarely causes permanent harm to the shrub, it significantly detracts from summer visual appeal. Planting mildew-resistant cultivars is an option, though ‘Marie Frances’ is noted for its pink blooms.
Be vigilant for other potential diseases like blights, leaf spots, and the more serious honey fungus. Insect pests such as scales, borers, and various caterpillars can also target the shrub. Maintaining good air circulation by pruning and managing suckers helps mitigate fungal issues, and routine inspections allow for early treatment of pest infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Common lilac suitable for?
Syringa vulgaris ‘Marie Frances’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 7, requiring the cold winters found in these regions for optimal performance.
How large does Common lilac grow?
This specific cultivar reaches a manageable height between 5 and 7 feet, with a corresponding spread of 4 to 6 feet at maturity.
What sun exposure does Common lilac need?
For the most profuse and fragrant bloom on Syringa vulgaris ‘Marie Frances’, full sun exposure (at least six hours of direct light daily) is strongly recommended.
When does Common lilac bloom?
This variety typically produces its showy, shrimp pink flowers over a period spanning from April into May.
Conclusion
The Syringa vulgaris ‘Marie Frances’ offers gardeners a compact solution to attain the nostalgic beauty and intoxicating fragrance of the Common lilac. Its low maintenance coupled with its deer resistance makes it a dependable spring-flowering anchor in northern and temperate landscapes. Before planting, assess your site’s winter chilling hours and ensure you position this desirable shrub where it can receive plentiful sunlight next spring.
Companion Planting
When planning a border utilizing Syringa vulgaris ‘Marie Frances’, consider companions that thrive in similar cool/cold climates and tolerate average soil fertility. Hostas and Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) are excellent choices for positioning beneath the shrub to mask the often-leggy lower branches and provide texture contrast during the summer when the lilac is not flowering.
Early-season bulbs like Daffodils (Narcissus) and Tulips can be naturalized beneath the lilac canopy, providing color before the Common lilac fully leafs out. For partners that bloom concurrently or slightly later, consider late-blooming Alliums or Peonies, which appreciate the filtered shade the lilac may provide once its bloom time has passed.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation involves promptly pruning the shrub right after blooming concludes in late spring/early summer. This sets up excellent flower bud formation for the following year. During summer, monitor foliage for signs of powdery mildew and ensure the base remains adequately watered, especially during dry spells.
In the fall, rake away any dropped leaves or debris from around the base of the plant to reduce overwintering fungal spores that can cause spring mildew. Mulch lightly, avoiding piling mulch directly against the stems, to regulate soil temperature and retain the medium moisture level preferred by this Common lilac cultivar.
