Variety characteristics

Common lilac ‘Michel Buchner’ is a classic, well known cultivar with strong growth and highly decorative double flowers. The shrub reaches 3–4 meters in height and forms an upright, spreading habit. The variety was developed in the nineteenth century and has remained popular due to its elegant appearance, durability and reliable blooming. It is long lived, resilient and suitable for home gardens as well as urban plantings.

Flowers and blooming

The flowers of ‘Michel Buchner’ are double, large and gathered in dense, showy panicles. They have a soft light purple colour with a cool undertone that gives them a refined look. Blooming occurs in May and is very abundant. The flowers are fragrant, long lasting and attract pollinating insects. The panicles are compact and heavy, forming the main ornamental feature of this cultivar.

Use

‘Michel Buchner’ performs beautifully as a specimen plant, but also works well in groups, along fences, near pathways or in representative compositions. Its full flowers and elegant colour give the garden a classic, romantic character. The variety is suitable for private gardens, parks and urban greenery.

Care

The plant is easy to grow and tolerant of Polish climate conditions. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. It grows best in fertile, moderately moist and well drained soils. Removing spent flowers after blooming improves the appearance of the shrub and supports better flowering the following year. The variety is frost resistant, drought tolerant and suitable for urban environments. Nursery plants of 90 cm in container C4 establish quickly and begin vigorous growth.

Height / width: 3–4 m / 2–3 m Habit: upright, strong, spreading Leaves: green, heart shaped Flowering: May Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: fertile, moderately moist, well drained Resistance: frost hardy, urban tolerant Use: specimen plant, gardens, parks, representative plantings