Bloomipedia
Purple lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Photo: Jared Shorma via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Garden flower

Purple lilac

Syringa vulgaris

Purple lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a shrub in the Oleaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–June across the U.S.

★ Official state flower of New Hampshire (1919)🌷 Garden flowerIntroduced in the lower 48

New Hampshire's official state flower is a big, sweet-smelling shrub that came to North America from the rocky hills of the southern Balkans. Here's what makes it special.

30states where USDA records it
46Bloomipedia state lists include it
3,063U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026. Our state lists also include states where people grow it in gardens, so they can outnumber USDA's wild-plant records. Planted garden flowers are mostly excluded from research grade.

On our lists for: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

🏅
New Hampshire's official state flower since 1919. Visit the New Hampshire page → N.H. RSA 3:5

Fun facts

  • It has been New Hampshire's official state flower since 1919. N.H. RSA ch. 3
  • It belongs to the olive family, Oleaceae. iNaturalist
  • In the wild it's native to the southern Balkan Peninsula, where it grows on rocky hills. Wikipedia
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced (not native) in the lower 48 states and Canada. Wild-growing lilacs usually turn up near old or current homesteads. USDA PLANTS Wikipedia
  • It grows as a large deciduous shrub or a multi-stemmed small tree. Wikipedia
  • Between 1876 and 1927, the French nurseryman Victor Lemoine introduced more than 153 named lilac cultivars, and many are still sold today. Wikipedia
  • Lilacs tend to flower heavily every other year. Snipping off faded flower clusters before seeds form can even things out. Wikipedia
✨ Did you know?

The purple stripes in New Hampshire's official state tartan stand for the purple finch and the purple lilac, the state bird and state flower. N.H. RSA ch. 3

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,073 records)
Bloom time in the 46 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
Michigan🌷 GardenApril–June419
New York🌷 GardenApril–May312
Minnesota🌷 Gardenfew records (45)260
Colorado🌷 GardenApril–June245
Pennsylvania🌷 GardenApril–May210
Washington🌷 GardenApril–May162
Wisconsin🌷 Gardenfew records (21)118
Ohio🌷 Gardenfew records (38)111
Oregon🌷 GardenApril–May103
Virginia🌷 Gardenfew records (48)97
New Jersey🌷 Gardenfew records (37)96
Maryland🌷 Gardenfew records (42)72
Utah🌷 Gardenfew records (44)68
Missouri🌷 Gardenfew records (3)67
Indiana🌷 Gardenfew records (30)62
Idaho🌷 Gardenfew records (42)59
South Dakota🌷 Gardenno flowering records53
Vermont🌷 Gardenfew records (7)51
Illinois🌷 Gardenfew records (10)48
Massachusetts🌷 Gardenfew records (5)47
Nebraska🌷 Gardenfew records (6)46
California🌷 Gardenfew records (18)42
Iowa🌷 Gardenno flowering records36
Kansas🌷 Gardenfew records (2)33
North Carolina🌷 Gardenfew records (18)33
West Virginia🌷 Gardenfew records (10)27
Alaska🌷 Gardenfew records (14)24
Maine🌷 Gardenfew records (6)24
Tennessee🌷 Gardenfew records (12)21
Texas🌷 Gardenfew records (4)18
North Dakota🌷 Gardenfew records (1)15
New Hampshire🌷 Gardenfew records (2)11
Arizona🌷 Gardenfew records (6)9
Alabama🌷 Gardenfew records (1)8
Kentucky🌷 Gardenfew records (4)8
Wyoming🌷 Gardenfew records (5)8
Nevada🌷 Gardenfew records (2)7
Oklahoma🌷 Gardenno flowering records6
Delaware🌷 Gardenfew records (1)5
Montana🌷 Gardenfew records (2)4
Rhode Island🌷 Gardenfew records (2)4
Arkansas🌷 Gardenno flowering records2
Georgia🌷 Gardenno flowering records2
South Carolina🌷 Gardenno flowering records2
New Mexico🌷 Gardenno flowering records1
Connecticut🌷 Gardenno flowering records0

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 30 of our 46 states.
See each state
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Michigan. R 299.1028
New York
Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New York. 6 NYCRR § 193.3
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Pennsylvania
Not listed Not on Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Pennsylvania. 17 Pa. Code Ch. 45
Wisconsin
Not listed Not on Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Wisconsin. NR 27.03
Ohio
Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Ohio. OAC 1501:18-1-03
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe has no Oregon rank for it. OAR 603-073-0070
Virginia
Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Virginia. 2VAC5-320-10
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Maryland
Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maryland. COMAR 08.03.08
Missouri
Not listed Not on Missouri Wildlife Code endangered species (3 CSR 10-4.111), plants. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Missouri. 3 CSR 10-4.111
Vermont
Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
Illinois
Not listed Not on Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1050), per the Endangered Species Protection Board's 2025 checklist. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Illinois. IL E&T checklist 2025
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Massachusetts. MESA list
Nebraska
Not listed Not on Nebraska threatened and endangered species (163 Neb. Admin. Code ch. 4, § 004). NatureServe has no Nebraska rank for it. 163 NAC 4-004
California
Not listed Not on California state-listed endangered, threatened and rare plants (14 CCR § 670.2), per CDFW's CNDDB list (July 2026). NatureServe has no California rank for it. CNDDB listed plants (July 2026)
Iowa
Not listed Not on Iowa endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-77.3). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Iowa. IAC 571-77.3
North Carolina
Not listed Not on North Carolina Protected Plant Species List (02 NCAC 48F .0301). NatureServe has no North Carolina rank for it. 02 NCAC 48F .0301
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maine. Maine rare plant list
Tennessee
Not listed Not on Tennessee endangered plants (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-06-02-.04, Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Tennessee. TN rule 0400-06-02-.04
Texas
Not listed Not on Texas endangered and threatened plants (31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.8), as listed by Texas Parks and Wildlife. NatureServe has no Texas rank for it. 31 TAC 69.8
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Arizona
Not listed Not on Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025). NatureServe has no Arizona rank for it. AAC R3-3 App. A
Kentucky
Not listed Not on Kentucky endangered and threatened plant lists (400 KAR 3:040, eff. 2026). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Kentucky. 400 KAR 3:040
Nevada
Not listed Not on Nevada fully protected plants, critically endangered (NAC 527.010). NatureServe has no Nevada rank for it. NAC 527.010
Delaware
Not listed Not on Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list). NatureServe has no Delaware rank for it. DE rare plants 2024
Rhode Island
Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Rhode Island. RI rare plants 2016
Georgia
Not listed Not on Georgia protected plants (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-10-.09; a 2026 update is proposed). NatureServe has no Georgia rank for it. Ga. R. 391-4-10-.09
New Mexico
Not listed Not on New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC). NatureServe has no New Mexico rank for it. 19.21.2.9 NMAC
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
Colorado
No list Colorado has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Colorado ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Colorado.
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe has no Washington rank for it.
Utah
No list Utah has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Utah ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Utah.
Indiana
No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Indiana.
Idaho
No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe has no Idaho rank for it.
South Dakota
No list South Dakota's endangered and threatened list (ARSD 41:10:02) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's South Dakota ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in South Dakota.
Kansas
No list Kansas's endangered and threatened list (K.A.R. 115-15-1) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's Kansas ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Kansas.
West Virginia
No list West Virginia has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (only federally listed species are protected), so we show NatureServe's West Virginia ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in West Virginia.
Alaska
No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe has no Alaska rank for it.
North Dakota
No list North Dakota has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's North Dakota ranks instead. NatureServe has no North Dakota rank for it.
Alabama
No list Alabama has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alabama ranks instead. NatureServe has no Alabama rank for it.
Wyoming
No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Wyoming.
Oklahoma
No list Oklahoma has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Oklahoma ranks instead. NatureServe has no Oklahoma rank for it.
Montana
No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe has no Montana rank for it.
Arkansas
No list Arkansas has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Arkansas ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Arkansas.
South Carolina
No list South Carolina has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's South Carolina ranks instead. NatureServe has no South Carolina rank for it.
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible flowers

NC State Extension says the flowers can be eaten raw or dipped in batter and fried as fritters. NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

We couldn't find a lilac (Syringa vulgaris) entry in the ASPCA plant database, so we can't say for sure.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records purple lilac in 30 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin; District of Columbia.

Michigan counties with USDA records: Alcona, Alpena, Benzie, Berrien, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clinton, Crawford, Delta, Gratiot, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Marquette, Ogemaw, Osceola, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Schoolcraft, Washtenaw, Wayne.

New York counties with USDA records: Albany, Clinton, Dutchess, Jefferson, Onondaga, Orange, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Ulster, Warren.

Minnesota counties with USDA records: Anoka, Becker, Blue Earth, Cook, Isanti, Kittson, Pope, Waseca.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Purple lilac a medium shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.8 to 7.8 and winter lows down to -38 °F.

Shade tolerance
Medium
Drought tolerance
Medium
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium, fine
Soil pH range
5.8 to 7.8
Minimum temperature tolerated
-38 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
110
Annual precipitation range
30 to 50 inches
Minimum root depth
14 inches
Salinity tolerance
Medium
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Moderate
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Brown · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for SYVU. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 166 counties across 23 states; the most are in Michigan (26), Pennsylvania (23), Wisconsin (18).

Other Syringa on Bloomipedia (3): Japanese tree lilac, Meyer lilac, Hairy lilac.

More from the Oleaceae family (9 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Downy forestiera, White fringetree, Spiny menodora, Border forsythia, Sweet olive, Chinese fringetree.

More Michigan flowers

Sources