Syringa vulgaris ‘Katherine Havemeyer’

Are you searching for a reliable, highly fragrant flowering shrub to enhance your late spring garden? Meet Syringa vulgaris ‘Katherine Havemeyer’, a classic lilac prized for its wonderfully scented, double blooms in shades of lavender, purple, and pink during May and June. This variety offers strong seasonal impact, perfect for gardeners looking to introduce a traditional element to their planting scheme.

This shrub features an upright and bushy habit when young, gradually becoming more spreading as it matures, offering excellent structure. While it sometimes produces small, dry brown capsules after flowering, the fruit is seldom a noticeable feature in most UK gardens. The foliage remains green throughout the growing season, and this variety is particularly noted for being attractive to bees and other pollinators seeking nectar.

For the best performance in your garden, aim to plant ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ where it can receive full sun, thriving best in moist but well-drained soil that is alkaline or neutral, making it very happy in chalk or loam locations across the UK. It is suited for low-maintenance borders, acting as a wonderful solitary statement shrub, or even providing informal screening where a dense, established presence is desired.