Congo lilac
Syringa vulgaris 'Congo'
USDA zones3 to 9
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles dry or moist soil
Size6 to 10 feet tall10 feet wide
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Bloom color
- Red
Attracts
Notes
'Congo' lilac (Syringa vulgaris 'Congo') is a shrub for mass plantings, hedge screens, and attracting butterflies. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun and dry to moist soil. Its fragrant red-to-purple flower clusters open in early to late spring and draw hummingbirds and butterflies. It sits low on the menu for deer. Prune it only after flowering so you keep this year's flowers.
Pairs well with Bush honeysuckle, Canada wild rye, and Heath aster.