This is the wild species of Lilac from which all our modern varieties have been selected. It is a deciduous shrub which grows into a bushy thicket of around 7 x 7m and has green heart-shaped leaves. The light blue-purple flowers are very sweet-smelling in early summer. Easy to grow in good light, in moist but well-drained soil. It likes neutral to alkaline soil and thrives in chalky ground.