The ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ lilac produces abundant, double, fragrant lilac blooms in May. Hardy and elegant, ideal for hedges, bouquets, or as a specimen shrub.
Description
The ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ lilac is a historic and highly valued variety, famous for its lavish, double blossoms and intoxicating fragrance. It bears large, conical clusters of flowers in soft shades of lilac and violet, opening in May to transform the shrub into a spectacular bouquet. These blooms are not only admired in the garden but also prized as cut flowers, as they retain their sweet, refined fragrance for days.
A vigorous and hardy shrub, it forms a dense, rounded bush that is ideal for a fragrant flowering hedge or as a stand-alone specimen. Like most lilacs, it thrives in many soils, tolerates cold winters, and offers timeless charm to both cottage and urban gardens.
Origin : French horticultural selection, popular since the late 19th century.
Family : Oleaceae.
Key traits : Double, fragrant flowers, shifting hues from bud to bloom, excellent hardiness.
Description : Deciduous shrub with a rounded habit, abundant spring bloom, and attractive green foliage.
Mature height : 3–4 m.
Mature spread : 2–3 m.
Habit : Dense, bushy, rounded.
Bark : Grey, slightly fissured with age.
Leaves : Heart-shaped, green, deciduous.
Growth rate : Moderate to fast.
Hardiness : Down to –25 °C.
Flowering time : May.
Flowers : Violet buds opening into double lilac flowers, grouped in large, dense clusters.
Fragrance : Intense, sweet, and refined, typical of traditional lilacs.
Ornamental value : Showy spring bloom, excellent for fragrant bouquets.
Exposure : Full sun preferred, tolerates partial shade but flowers best in sunlight.
Soil : Ordinary, fertile, well-drained, tolerates limestone.
Advice : Plant in autumn or spring, enrich with compost, and water generously.
Spacing : 2–3 m apart in hedges.
Young plants : Regular watering in the first years.
Mature plants : Drought tolerant, water only in long dry periods.
When : Right after flowering, as buds for next year form quickly.
How : Remove faded blooms and old stems to encourage new growth.
Methods : Grafting, layering, or suckers.
Ideal for flowering hedges, as a specimen shrub, or combined with fragrant shrubs and roses in borders.
Double, fragrant blooms perfect for bouquets.
Ecological value : attracts bees and butterflies in spring.
Low-maintenance, hardy, and reliable.
Plant in sunny locations for abundant flowering. Avoid heavy pruning. Mulch the base to preserve soil moisture and provide nutrients.
The Lilac ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ is an old and refined variety, perfect for lovers of fragrant blossoms. In May, it becomes covered with double clusters in shades of lilac and mauve, whose intense fragrance fills the garden. Hardy and vigorous, it adapts to most soils and is easy to grow. Whether planted as a specimen shrub, in a flowering hedge, or used to create stunning spring bouquets, it brings elegance and romance to gardens. A shrub of tradition and charm, Syringa vulgaris ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ remains a reliable choice for enjoying an unforgettable display every spring.
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The ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ lilac produces abundant, double, fragrant lilac blooms in May. Hardy and elegant, ideal for hedges, bouquets, or as a specimen shrub.
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