Scentara Double Blue Lilac (Proven Winners)

Syringa × hyacinthiflora ‘Scentara Double Blue’

Scentara® Double Blue Lilac is a cold-hardy, highly fragrant, early-blooming lilac with double, violet-blue flowers that appear in mid to late spring. It is one of the most strongly scented lilacs, making it perfect for cutting gardens, borders, and foundation plantings. This variety is disease-resistant, low-maintenance, and thrives in prairie climates (Zone 2-7), making it an excellent choice for Southwest Saskatchewan.

Planting & Location

• Hardiness Zone: 2-7 (thrives in cold winters)
• Mature Size: 4-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (12-24 inches per year)
• Sunlight Needs: Full sun (at least 6+ hours of direct sun for best blooms)
• Soil Preference:
  • Prefers well-drained, loamy soil.
  • Tolerates clay, sandy, and alkaline soils.
  • Avoid wet or compacted soil—lilacs do not tolerate soggy roots.
• Spacing: 4-6 feet apart for hedging, 6+ feet apart for individual plantings.

Watering

• Young Shrubs (First 1-2 Years): Water deeply once per week to establish roots.
• Established Shrubs: Drought-tolerant; water every 2-3 weeks in dry periods.
• Avoid Overwatering: Lilacs prefer dry to moderate moisture levels—too much water can cause root rot.

Fertilizing

• First Year: No fertilizer needed—focus on root establishment.
• Mature Shrubs:
  • Apply a low-nitrogen, phosphorus-rich fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-10) in early spring to encourage flowering.
  • Organic alternative: Compost or well-rotted manure in spring.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Best Time to Prune: Right after flowering (late spring to early summer).
• How to Prune:
  • Remove spent flower clusters to encourage future blooms.
  • Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches for air circulation.
  • Light shaping is fine, but avoid heavy pruning, as lilacs bloom on old wood.

Flowering & Fragrance

• Bloom Time: Mid to late spring (earlier than common lilacs)
• Flower Color: Double violet-blue clusters
• Fragrance: Extremely strong, sweet, and classic lilac scent
• Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

Pest & Disease Management

Resistant to: Powdery mildew and bacterial blight (common lilac diseases).

Common Pests:

• Lilac Borers – Cause wilting branches.
  • Solution: Keep plants healthy and prune out affected wood.
• Aphids – Can cause curled leaves and sticky honeydew.
  • Solution: Spray with insecticidal soap or introduce ladybugs.

Common Diseases:

• Leaf Spot (Fungal or Bacterial) – Causes brown leaf spots.
  • Solution: Improve airflow and remove infected leaves.
• Root Rot (Phytophthora) – A risk in wet soils.
  • Solution: Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering.

Winter Protection

• Highly winter-hardy—no special protection needed.
• Mulching: Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base (not touching the stems) to insulate roots.
• Deer & Rabbits: Generally resistant, but young plants may need protection.

Landscape Uses

Ideal for foundation plantings and mixed borders
Highly fragrant, making it perfect for walkways and patios
Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
Cold-hardy and resistant to common lilac diseases
Low-maintenance once established

Additional Notes:

• Scentara® Double Blue Lilac is one of the best lilacs for fragrance and disease resistance.
• Lifespan: 50+ years with proper care.
• Works well as a specimen shrub, hedge, or cut flower garden plant.

Image courtesy of Proven Winners