Scentara Double Blue Lilac

Scentara Double Blue Lilac (Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Scentara Double Blue')

Scentara Double Blue Lilac, Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Scentara Double Blue', is a compact, cold hardy lilac that delivers lush double blue lavender blooms and powerful fragrance on a shrub sized for modern gardens. In mid spring, the plant is covered in large, cone shaped clusters of ruffled, double flowers that open rich lavender blue and soften slightly as they age, standing out clearly against clean green foliage. The rounded, multi stemmed habit keeps the shrub dense from top to bottom, so it reads as a solid mass of color and scent at peak bloom and then settles into a tidy green presence for the rest of the season. Planted near paths, patios, or entryways, Scentara Double Blue quickly becomes a favorite focal point you look forward to every year.

Distinctive Features

Scentara Double Blue Lilac typically grows about 5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide, forming a dense, upright rounded shrub that fits easily into foundation beds and mixed borders. The flower trusses are generously sized and packed with many double florets, giving each cluster a plush, full look that feels almost like a small bouquet on every stem. Buds open in cool lavender blue tones that read as blue from a distance, adding a refreshing color note in spring plantings and pairing beautifully with pinks, whites, and deeper purples. The fragrance is strong and sweet in the classic lilac style, especially noticeable on cool mornings and evenings when the air is still. Fine textured, medium green leaves stay attractive after flowering, so the shrub continues to provide structure and a clean backdrop for neighboring perennials and shrubs through summer.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Performs best in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily for heavy flowering, strong stems, and reliable bud set.
• Soil: Prefers well drained, moderately fertile soil and responds well to neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, but tolerates most average garden soils that do not stay wet.
• Water: Water regularly during the first few seasons to establish deep roots; once established, provide occasional deep soakings during extended dry periods rather than frequent light watering.
• Hardiness: Well suited to cold winter regions where lilacs are traditionally grown, as long as the planting site offers good drainage and some air movement.
• Size: Forms a compact shrub about 5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide at maturity, depending on climate, soil, and pruning.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that builds a dense, well branched framework over several years and then settles into a steady pattern of spring bloom and summer foliage.

Ideal Uses

• Small Space Feature: Ideal for modest yards, town gardens, and narrow borders where a full size lilac would overwhelm the space.
• Foundation Plantings: Tuck under windows, near porches, or along entries so the double blue lavender blooms and fragrance can be enjoyed at eye level.
• Walkways and Patios: Plant beside paths or seating areas so the sweet scent greets you every time you pass by or sit outdoors.
• Mixed Shrub and Perennial Borders: Combine with roses, peonies, spireas, and ornamental grasses to add spring color, scent, and a compact shrub layer.
• Cut Flower and Scent Gardens: Grow near cutting beds to harvest double flowered stems that bring cool blue lavender color and fragrance indoors.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water during hot or very dry weather with deep, occasional soakings to keep roots hydrated without saturating the soil.
• Pruning: Prune just after flowering by removing spent flower clusters and lightly thinning crowded stems to maintain a rounded shape; avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall, which can reduce bloom the following spring.
• Fertilizing: In early spring, apply a light dose of balanced, slow release fertilizer or a layer of compost if soil is lean; avoid heavy nitrogen that favors foliage at the expense of flowers.
• Mulching: Maintain a 2 to 3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature, keeping mulch a few inches away from the main stems.
• Seasonal Care: Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter or right after bloom, and manage basal shoots based on whether you prefer a slightly wider clump or a tighter outline.

Why Choose Scentara Double Blue Lilac?

• Plush Double Blooms: Large, double lavender blue flower clusters offer a fuller, more luxurious look than many single flowered lilacs.
• Classic, Powerful Fragrance: Strong sweet perfume turns paths, patios, and open windows into richly scented spring experiences.
• Compact, Garden Friendly Size: Fits easily into foundation beds, small borders, and modern landscapes without overwhelming nearby plants.
• Cool, Versatile Color: Soft blue lavender tones blend effortlessly with a wide range of spring palettes, from pastels to bold jewel tones.
• Reliable Garden Structure: With good sun, drainage, and simple seasonal care, Scentara Double Blue Lilac returns year after year as a durable source of bloom, fragrance, and structure in sunny borders, walkways, and outdoor living areas.

With its lush double blue lavender blooms, strong fragrance, and compact rounded habit, Scentara Double Blue Lilac is an excellent choice for adding a space saving spring focal point, fragrant cut stems, and dependable structure to sunny gardens and entry plantings.