Lilac ‘Madame Lemoine’

Blue Sky Nursery

$34.99
Title

Step into a world of pure, classic elegance with ‘Madame Lemoine’, arguably the most famous white lilac ever cultivated. This historic French hybrid is a masterpiece of the spring garden, bearing massive, heavy clusters of snow-white, double flowers that look like intricate lace against a backdrop of heart-shaped, emerald-green leaves. Each blossom is a tiny, perfectly formed rosebud that opens into a spectacular display of ivory beauty. With an intoxicating, sweet perfume that captures the very essence of spring, this stately shrub brings a refined, "Gatsby-era" romance to any landscape. 

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

10–12' H x 8–10' W

Zone:

3-7

Watering:

Medium

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Light:

Full Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Madame Lemoine Lilac, Double White French Lilac, Common White Lilac (cultivar)

Scientific Name:

Syringa vulgaris ‘Madame Lemoine’

Type:

Ornamental / Fragrant Flowering Shrub

Growth Details:

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

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun is essential for the best flower production and to keep the foliage crisp.
  • Soil Preferences: Rich, fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soil.
  • Soil Tolerance: Adapts to most well-drained soils; does not tolerate acidic or waterlogged conditions well.
  • Watering: Regular watering during the first few growing seasons; mature plants are moderately drought-tolerant.

Special Features:

RHS Award of Garden Merit; widely considered the best double-white lilac; intensely fragrant; extremely cold hardy; attracts pollinators; exceptional for bridal bouquets and cut arrangements.

Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Blooms in mid-to-late spring. Features dense, fragrant, double pure-white flower clusters.
  • Fall Colour: Foliage remains green or turns a subtle yellow-copper before dropping.
  • Bark: Smooth and gray when young, becoming textured and character-filled with age.
  • Winter Interest: Strong, upright branch structure provides a classic winter silhouette.

Garden Value:

A premier choice for a fragrant focal point, a flowering privacy screen, or a back-of-the-border shrub. Its bright white blooms are perfect for "moonlight gardens," as they glow beautifully in the evening light.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: A favorite nectar source for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
  • Human Value: Provides a legendary, therapeutic fragrance; high "curb appeal" value; historically prized as the premier white lilac for cut flower production.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or fall.
  • Spacing: 10 feet apart for individual plants; 6–8 feet apart for a dense, fragrant hedge.
  • Location Tips: Ensure excellent air circulation to reduce the risk of powdery mildew. Avoid low areas where late spring frosts might damage early buds.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily).
  • Moisture Requirements: Prefers consistent moisture; do not allow the soil to become completely dry.
  • Maintenance: Low to moderate. Prune immediately after flowering to maintain shape and remove spent blooms.
  • Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.

Tolerances:

Cold hardy; urban pollution; deer and rabbit resistant.

Tips For Success:

To keep flowers at eye level and the plant vigorous, use "renewal pruning" by removing the oldest one-third of the stems every three years. If your soil is acidic, add garden lime annually to maintain the alkaline pH lilacs love.

Fruit Profile