Californian Lilac Gloire de Versaille

Often regarded as one of the most elegant members of the California Lilac family, this deciduous shrub is prized for its soft, airy texture and unusually long flowering season. Unlike the more common evergreen varieties, it produces large, frothy panicles of powder-blue flowers that look like delicate clouds hovering over the foliage. The display begins in mid-Summer and continues in waves right through to the early Autumn, providing a cool, refreshing splash of colour when many other shrubs have finished blooming. The light green, ovate leaves have a fine, serrated edge and provide a lush backdrop for the scented blooms. This variety is notably more cold-hardy than many of its evergreen cousins, making it a reliable choice for gardens across Ireland. It has a relaxed, open habit that brings a romantic, cottage-garden feel to sunny borders. It is also a magnet for bees and butterflies, who are drawn to the nectar-rich blue clusters throughout the warmer months. Because it blooms on the current year’s growth, it responds very well to a hard prune in early Spring, which helps maintain a neat shape and encourages an even more prolific floral display. It is a sophisticated choice for a focal point in a small garden or for adding vertical interest to the back of a perennial border.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Requires well-drained soil; lime-tolerant but prefers fertile ground.
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: July to October
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 4.5' (1.5m); Spread:  4.5' (1.5m)

Image by Leonora (Ellie) Enking cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0