Wedgewood Blue Lilac

Wedgewood Blue Lilac (Syringa vulgaris 'Wedgewood Blue')

Wedgewood Blue Lilac, Syringa vulgaris 'Wedgewood Blue', is a classic French hybrid lilac admired for its soft, clear blue lavender flower clusters and strong, nostalgic fragrance on a medium sized upright shrub. In mid to late spring, buds open to cool, powdery blue blooms gathered into long, conical panicles that light up sunny borders and draw in bees and butterflies. Clean, heart shaped green foliage fills the framework through summer, so even after the flowers fade this lilac continues to anchor beds and screens with reliable structure and a calm, refined presence. Planted near paths, patios, or open windows, Wedgewood Blue quickly becomes a favorite focal point you look forward to every year.

Distinctive Features

Wedgewood Blue Lilac typically grows about 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide, forming an upright, multi stemmed shrub with a naturally rounded outline. Large, dense trusses are packed with single, four petaled florets in soft blue lavender tones, giving the clusters a cool, soothing color that stands out from deeper purple varieties. The bloom color holds well on the plant and reads clearly from a distance, especially in morning and evening light. Strong stems carry the flower panicles at the tips of the branches, creating a sheet of color at eye level when in full bloom while the leafy framework continues to provide screening and background once flowering has finished.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Thrives 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 performs best in neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, but adapts to most average garden soils that do not stay wet or waterlogged.
• Water: Water regularly during the first few seasons to establish a deep root system; 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 drainage is good and roots are not left in saturated soil.
• Size: Forms a substantial shrub about 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide at maturity, depending on climate, soil, and pruning.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that builds its main framework over several years and then settles into a steady pattern of spring bloom and summer foliage.

Ideal Uses

• Spring Feature Plant: Place near patios, decks, or main walkways where the soft blue flower clusters and fragrance can be enjoyed up close.
• Informal Screens and Hedges: Plant in a loose row or staggered grouping to create a seasonal privacy screen that flowers in spring and stays leafy through summer.
• Mixed Shrub Borders: Combine with pink and purple lilacs, viburnums, hydrangeas, and evergreens to build layered borders with strong structure and changing color throughout the year.
• Cottage and Homestead Gardens: Pair with peonies, irises, phlox, and other traditional perennials for a timeless country garden look with cool toned spring accents.
• Cut Flower Gardens: Grow near cutting beds so you can easily harvest long, blossom filled stems that bring soft 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 thinning a few of the oldest stems at ground level to encourage vigorous new shoots and maintain a balanced shape; avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall, which can reduce bloom the following year.
• Fertilizing: In early spring, apply a light dose of balanced, slow release fertilizer or a layer of compost if soil is lean, avoiding heavy nitrogen that favors foliage over 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 suckers based on whether you prefer a wider clump or a narrower outline.

Why Choose Wedgewood Blue Lilac?

• Soft Blue Lavender Blooms: Large, cool toned flower clusters provide a distinctive blue cast that stands out from standard purple lilacs and blends easily with many palettes.
• Classic Lilac Fragrance: Strong, sweet perfume turns paths, patios, and open windows into scented spring experiences.
• Timeless Garden Presence: Upright, rounded habit and clean green foliage provide lasting height, screening, and backbone in sunny borders.
• Excellent for Cutting: Long stems with full bloom trusses are ideal for generous, fragrant bouquets and simple vases indoors.
• Reliable Focal Point: With good sun, drainage, and timely pruning, Wedgewood Blue Lilac returns year after year as a dependable focal point, adding cool color, scent, and structure to traditional borders, informal screens, and classic mixed shrub plantings.

With its soft blue lavender blooms, powerful fragrance, and substantial upright habit, Wedgewood Blue Lilac is an excellent choice for adding a standout spring focal point, fragrant cut flowers, and long lasting structure to sunny gardens and outdoor living spaces.