Scentara Double Blue Lilac is a standout spring-blooming shrub known for its intensely fragrant, double-petaled blooms in soft lavender-blue tones. This hybrid lilac not only offers beautiful early-season color but also fills the garden with that classic lilac scent that signals spring has truly arrived.
A member of the hyacinthiflora lilac group, Scentara Double Blue blooms earlier than common lilacs and produces full, double flowers that give it a more lush and layered appearance. The soft bluish-purple blossoms are packed with petals and look almost like miniature roses, making it a beautiful choice for borders, foundations, and cutting gardens.
Native to hybrid parentage with strong genetics, this lilac was bred for cold hardiness and disease resistance, making it ideal for Southeastern Wisconsin’s climate. It thrives in USDA zones 2–8, which means it handles our long winters with ease and is one of the most reliable early bloomers come April or May.
Scentara Double Blue Lilac grows to about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, forming a rounded, upright shrub. It prefers full sun (at least 6 hours daily) and well-drained soil. Once established, it’s fairly drought-tolerant, though watering during dry spells will help encourage healthy growth and more blooms. It’s also deer-resistant and attracts bees and butterflies in the spring — a great bonus for pollinator gardens.
One of the best things about this lilac is its fragrance. The scent is strong and sweet, just like the lilacs many of us remember from childhood gardens. Planted near patios, porches, or open windows, it offers a burst of nostalgia every time you catch the breeze.
Scentara Double Blue is easy to care for. You’ll want to prune it right after flowering to shape the shrub and encourage good blooming the following year. Avoid pruning in fall or early spring, as that will remove next season’s flower buds. A little compost or slow-release fertilizer in early spring can help support healthy blooms, but lilacs are generally low-maintenance once they’re established.
In the landscape, this lilac works well as a single focal point or planted in groups for a beautiful flowering hedge. It pairs nicely with other spring bloomers like tulips, daffodils, and creeping phlox. Its blooms also make excellent cut flowers — just a few stems in a vase can fill a room with fragrance.
At Heritage Hill Nursery, we’re excited to feature Scentara Double Blue Lilac as our Plant Spotlight for early April. Right now, it’s 25% off as part of our April Specials, making it a great time to add this stunning shrub to your garden.
Whether you’re planting your first lilac or expanding an existing collection, Scentara Double Blue offers a beautiful, fragrant, and reliable choice for Wisconsin gardeners. Visit us to see it in person and enjoy the sweet scent of spring!
Photo courtesy of Proven Winters.