Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' - Lilac with double flowers

Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' is a classic and highly appreciated lilac cultivar, known for its dense, intensely fragrant flower clusters made up of double, deep purple flowers. It blooms in late spring and early summer, when the plant becomes a striking focal point in the garden.

It is suitable both as a solitary plant and for informal hedges, mixed borders, or romantic gardens, and the flowers can also be used as cut flowers.

🌿 Botanical characteristics

• Botanical name: Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly'
• Family: Oleaceae
• Plant type: deciduous ornamental shrub
• Growth habit: upright, bushy, well-branched
• Leaves: dark green, heart-shaped
• Flowers: double, intensely fragrant
• Color: deep purple to violet-purple
• Flowering: May-June, depending on the climate and season
• Mature height: approximately 2.5-4 m
• Mature width: approximately 2.5-4 m
• Growth rate: moderate
• Uses: gardens, borders, informal hedges, solitary planting, cut flowers 

☀️ Growing conditions and care

• Light: prefers direct sunlight; flowering is more abundant in sunny locations
• Watering: moderate, more regular during establishment and dry periods
• Soil: fertile, rich in humus, and well-drained
• pH: prefers neutral to alkaline soils
• Fertilization: moderate, in spring
• Pruning: recommended after flowering, if shaping or removal of spent flower clusters is needed
• Frost hardiness: very good; the RHS rates it H6, approximately -20°C to -15°C

🌱 Secret Garden soil recommendation

👉 For optimal growth, we recommend a fertile, airy, and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Avoid areas where water remains around the roots for long periods.

✨ What makes it special

• double, intensely fragrant flowers
• deep, dark red-purple color
• dense and spectacular flower clusters
• abundant flowering in late spring
• very good cold hardiness
• suitable for classic and romantic gardens
• flowers can be used in bouquets
• classic and highly appreciated cultivar

📌 Note

Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' is a deciduous shrub, and the appearance of its foliage naturally varies with the season. Starting in autumn, the leaves may turn yellow, become spotted, partially dry out, or gradually fall as the plant enters dormancy.

During the autumn-winter season, plants may be delivered with reduced foliage, leaves with an aged appearance, or even completely leafless, depending on the shipping date and growing conditions. This is normal for the species and does not indicate a viability issue.

In spring, as favorable temperatures return, the plant resumes growth and produces new foliage.

Height including pot: 40-60 cm (depending on the season and horticultural work)