Lilac 'Monge'

Scott's Nursery Ltd.

$34.99
Title

Drench your garden in the deepest, most decadent purple imaginable with 'Monge'. This stunning French hybrid is famous for its massive, 9-inch flower panicles that boast a brilliant, saturated reddish-purple hue. The single, star-like blossoms are so densely packed they appear velvety, creating a bold splash of colour that stands out even from across the yard. Paired with a heavy, classic lilac fragrance that defines the spirit of spring, 'Monge' is a showstopper that brings a sense of high-fashion drama and old-world charm to any sunny landscape.

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

10–12' H x 8–12' W

Zone:

3-7

Watering:

Medium

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Light:

Full Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Monge Lilac, French Hybrid Lilac, Purple French Lilac

Scientific Name:

Syringa vulgaris 'Monge'

Type:

Ornamental / Fragrant Flowering Shrub

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: 10–12 feet tall and 8–12 feet wide.
  • Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed, and vase-shaped.
  • Form: Large deciduous shrub.
  • Growth Rate: Medium.
  • Longevity: Long-lived; can thrive for 50+ years.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun for maximum bloom intensity and disease resistance.
  • Soil Preferences: Rich, loamy, neutral to slightly alkaline soil.
  • Soil Tolerance: Highly adaptable to various soil types including clay, provided there is excellent drainage.
  • Watering: Regular watering during the first few seasons to establish roots; moderately drought-tolerant once mature.

Special Features:

Considered one of the best reddish-purple lilacs; intensely fragrant; extremely cold hardy; attracts pollinators; exceptional for dramatic cut floral arrangements.

Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Blooms in mid-to-late spring. Features single, deep reddish-purple (magenta) flowers in large clusters.
  • Fall Colour: Foliage remains green or turns a subtle yellow-copper before dropping.
  • Bark: Smooth and gray when young, developing character and texture with age.
  • Winter Interest: Sturdy, upright structure provides a classic winter silhouette.

Garden Value:

A premier specimen plant for its intense color. Ideal for flowering privacy screens, mixed shrub borders, or as a vibrant backdrop for spring-blooming perennials.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: A favorite of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
  • Human Value: Provides a legendary fragrance for the garden and home; high "curb appeal" value; prized by florists for its unique, deep color.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or fall.
  • Spacing: 10 feet apart for individual growth; 6–8 feet apart for a dense, colorful hedge.
  • Location Tips: Ensure excellent air circulation to minimize powdery mildew. Choose a site with room to accommodate its significant mature width.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily).
  • Moisture Requirements: Needs consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist but well-drained.
  • Maintenance: Low to moderate. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage better flowering next season and prune after flowering to shape.
  • Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen blends.

Tolerances:

Cold hardy; urban pollution; deer and rabbit resistant.

Tips For Success:

If your soil is acidic, add garden lime annually to maintain the alkaline pH lilacs prefer. Use renewal pruning (removing the oldest 1/3 of the stems to the ground every few years) to keep the plant vigorous and blooms at eye level.

Fruit Profile