White among the lilacs
Most common lilac is lilac to mauve, but white forms occur in nature and in gardens. Cultivars such as 'Madame Lemoine' are famous for double white flowers. A white lilac tree in Australia is usually a grafted or suckering Syringa vulgaris, and many readers searching for one are really looking for a flowering white shrub or tree for a cool-climate garden.
Where it grows and where it will not
Lilacs need cold winters. That means:
- Good: Canberra, Tablelands, the Blue Mountains, Victorian ranges, Tasmania, the Adelaide Hills.
- Variable: Melbourne's cooler suburbs and Adelaide.
- Poor: Sydney coast, Brisbane, Perth and the tropics.
If you live in a warm place, a white-flowering alternative will perform much better than a lilac that never gets enough winter chill.
Flower meaning
White lilac traditionally stands for youthful innocence and purity, while the colour is a classic for spring weddings. Spring in Australia runs from September to November.
Everyday care for white lilac
Take out spent flowers promptly and keep the shape open to reduce powdery mildew. Provide full sun and free drainage.
As cut stems
White lilac lasts a handful of days in a vase. Pick before the flowers are fully open, and keep the stems in deep water in a cool place.
For small gardens, compact white-flowered lilac cultivars are worth asking a specialist nursery about. A smaller shrub is easier to prune after flowering and can fit a courtyard, though it still depends on cold winters to set buds.
