Lilac (Syringa 'SMSJBP7' BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE)
Discover Syringa 'SMSJBP7' BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE Lilac, known for its continuous dark purple bloom from May to October and low maintenance.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE Lilac is an exceptional modern reblooming shrub, offering gardeners the classic appeal and fragrance of Lilac across an extended season. This cultivar is highly valued because the initial, heavy flush of spring flowers is followed by subsequent repeat blooms that often last from summer well into fall, providing season-long color. Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE exhibits an upright, branching habit, making it versatile for both structured hedges and specimen planting.
This popular selection thrives in sunny locations, providing rich, dark purple flowers that are both showy and fragrant. Its manageable size, reaching only 4 to 6 feet tall, makes the Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE an excellent choice for smaller gardens or foundation plantings where traditional lilacs might become too large. With low maintenance demands and good tolerance for urban settings, this recurring Lilac brings reliability and continuous beauty to the landscape.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Oleaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-6 ft
- Spread: 3-5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to October
- Bloom Description: Purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting your Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE is best accomplished in spring or fall, ensuring adequate time for establishment before extreme weather hits. Choose a location that receives full sun for the most prolific repeat blooming, though light shade is tolerated. This Lilac prefers organically rich, moist, well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline. Good air circulation is vital for plant health.
Watering should be consistent, delivering medium amounts of water, especially during dry spells, as it prefers moist soil conditions. Fertilization should be applied sparingly, focusing on amendment of the soil structure rather than heavy feeding. The most crucial cultural task involves pruning. Prune your Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE as needed immediately after the initial spring flowering finishes to encourage summer and fall reblooms. Never prune from late fall through spring, as this will remove developing flower buds meant for the initial display.
This hybrid Lilac demonstrates good tolerance for urban pollution, making it resilient in city environments. While established plants are quite hardy, be mindful that young flower buds are susceptible to frost injury if an unseasonable cold snap occurs in early spring.
Landscape Uses
The compact size and reblooming nature of Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE make it incredibly versatile in landscape design. It excels when used effectively as a small hedge, providing year-round structure along property lines or walkways due to its dense, low-branching habit. Furthermore, it works beautifully massed together to create a continuous screen of dark purple fragrance.
For smaller spaces, this Lilac is an excellent candidate for foundation plantings where height control is necessary, or as a striking specimen plant dotted throughout the yard. Don’t overlook its value in cutting gardens; its long blooming season ensures you have fragrant, showy material available nearly all summer. It also performs well in containers, provided the pot is suitably large and drainage is excellent.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Syringa is a genus of about 20 species of shrubs and small trees from Southeast Europe to East Asia and they are grown for their showy fragrant flowers. The genus name derives from the Greek word syrinx, meaning tube or pipe, referencing the pith-filled stems of certain species plants. The cultivar ‘Smsjbp7’ is an upright, rounded hybrid lilac distinguished by its vigorous, highly branching growth and its impressively long blooming season, which features repeat blooms from summer to fall following the initial heavy spring burst. These small, dark purple flowers are delightfully fragrant and borne in dense, cone-shaped clusters ranging from 4 to 6 inches long; the foliage is relatively small for a lilac, enhancing the flower display.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
The Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE is generally praised for having no known serious insect or disease issues, often displaying improved resistance to common leaf pathogens compared to older varieties. The primary concern for gardeners is the aesthetic development of powdery mildew, which may appear usually late in the season but rarely affects plant vigor significantly. Flower buds are, however, susceptible to damage if hard frosts occur late in the spring season after warm weather has stimulated early bud development.
Deer tend to avoid browsing on this particular Lilac due to its foliage composition or scent, providing an added benefit in areas where browsing pressure is high. Address potential leaf-roll necrosis quickly by ensuring proper cultural conditions, focusing on adequate drainage and moderate watering schedules to keep the shrub stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lilac suitable for?
This specific Lilac, Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE, is hardy and reliably grown in USDA Zones 3 through 7.
How large does Lilac grow?
When fully mature, the Syringa ‘SMSJBP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE typically reaches a height between 4 and 6 feet, spreading moderately to 3 to 5 feet wide.
When does Lilac bloom?
This repeat-blooming variety offers excellent season-long floral interest, producing purple flowers intermittently from May all the way through October.
What sun exposure does Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE need?
For the best possible bloom performance, ensure this Lilac receives full sun exposure throughout the day.
Conclusion
The Syringa ‘SMSJBP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE is a contemporary standout among shrubs, pairing the beloved fragrance of traditional Lilac with the significant advantage of reblooming behavior. By offering dark purple flowers consistently from spring until frost, this low-maintenance specimen brings sustained color to the garden plan. Consult your local hardiness map and plan your planting during optimal seasonal windows to maximize the successful establishment of your new Syringa ‘SMSJJP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE.
Companion Planting Strategies
When selecting partners for your Syringa ‘SMSJBP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE, focus on plants that share similar preferences for full sun and medium, well-drained soil. Consider pairing it with summer-blooming perennials that offer contrasting textures or complementary cool-toned colors, such as Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) or Catmint (Nepeta). Since this Lilac prefers slightly neutral to alkaline soil conditions, avoid companions that require strongly acidic soil.
For foundation plantings, low-growing evergreens like creeping juniper or dwarf spireas offer evergreen contrast during winter when the Lilac is dormant. Because the Syringa ‘SMSJBP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE has a relatively low and manageable spread, it integrates well into mixed shrub borders without overpowering surrounding, shorter plants.
Wildlife Benefits and Pollinator Draw
The fragrant, tubular, dark purple flowers of Syringa ‘SMSJBP7’ BLOOMERANG DARK PURPLE are highly attractive to local wildlife, especially during peak bloom periods. The dense clusters serve as excellent nectar sources for numerous pollinator species throughout the season.
The plant is specifically noted for attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a vibrant addition to any pollinator-friendly garden site. While we do not harvest fruit, the presence of flowers ensures ongoing support for the local insect population that feeds birds and aids garden health.
