Syringa Vulgaris Mrs Edward Harding Lilac

Syringa Vulgaris Mrs Edward Harding is a pretty deciduous lilac tree with dense panicles of deep purple-red double flowers that fade to deep pink. It’s an RHS AGM holder with a rich enchanting fragrance and perfect for chalky gardens.

Syringa Vulgaris is better known as Lilac. It’s native to the Balkan peninsula but has naturalised across most of Europe and America. The cultivar Mrs Edward Harding was bred in Lemoine in1922 and is considered one of the best double purple lilacs. It’s held the RHS AGM since 1969.

It’s a medium-sized bushy lilac with dark green deciduous leaves that are heart-shaped. Foliage appears in early spring and is followed by dense panicles of deep purplish-red double flowers that mature to deep pink. The flowers are deliciously scented and fill the garden on a hot day. It can be grown as a small ornamental tree or a shrub.

If you’re a fan of big impact colour and sweetly scented summer flowers then Lilac Mrs Edward Harding is a good choice. It’s stood the test of time in the UK and is always a popular choice.

Height And Spread of Syringa Vulgaris Mrs Edward Harding
Lilac Mrs Edward Harding will grow to a height and spread of 4 metres over 10-20 years.

How Hardy Is Syringa Vulgaris Mrs Edward Harding
Syringa is hardy in the UK, withstanding freezing winters if the roots are well-drained. It can tolerate exposed positions but the flowers last longer in a partially sheltered spot. 

How To Use Syringa Vulgaris Mrs Edward Harding
Lilac Mrs Edward Harding is a great choice for a mixed bed in a country cottage style garden with its pretty summertime flowers but also suits an urban courtyard when it’s grown as an ornamental specimen tree.
Flower arrangers prize its flower panicles that are long-lasting in cut flower displays and prolific enough not to detract from the shrub when cut.
Lovely planted near a seating area or open window so you can appreciate the scent which is especially strong in full sun in the morning and evenings.

How To Care For Syringa Vulgaris Mrs Edward Harding
Lilac Mrs Edward Harding is easy to grow in the majority of well-drained soils, but it thrives in full sun on chalky grounds. It can cope with some exposure and pollution.
Prune it after flowering to maintain your preferred height and width removing congested or crossed stems and wayward branches to suit. Be sure to water it well after pruning and apply a thick layer of mulch in early spring to boost flower production and trap moisture.