When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) are striking specimen plants with their early blooming, lacy blossoms that exude a sweet perfume. You’ll find cultivars with blue, pink, purple, and other colorful blossoms. However lovely the flowers are, the shrub’s short blooming season can be disappointing. A careful selection of lilac bush companions in the garden can help fill the gap. For tips on what to plant with lilac bushes, read on.
If you’re not sure what to plant with lilac bushes, you might bepleasantly surprised at how many there are. Lilac bushes need plants that either look good next to them or help them grow in some way. These are called companion plants. When it comes to companion planting with lilacs, spring-flowering bulbs are among the top choices for many gardeners. Because they bloom at the same time as lilac bushes, they are a natural choice to plant with them. If you want to grow pretty plants next to your lilac bush, you can find many pretty spring bulbs. Bulb plants like daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinth, and peonies multiply and naturalize. Plant enough of them and you’ll never weed in the area again.
Lilacs are one of the most beloved spring-blooming shrubs, known for their incredibly fragrant and stunning flowers. After a long winter, those purple, pink or white blooms are a sure sign that warmer weather is on the way. However, the lilac show is fleeting, lasting just a couple of weeks. Once they are done blooming, lilacs fade into the background
The good news is that you can keep the garden excitement going by planting companion plants around your lilacs. By choosing plants that bloom at different times or offer nice foliage, you can be rewarded with months of color and texture.
This article will explore some of the best options for what to plant with lilacs. With the right plant pairings, your lilac display will be extended and enhanced. Let’s take a look at 13 great companion plant choices!
Great Companion Plants for Lilacs
1. Clematis
Clematis is a classic companion for lilacs, growing up and rambling through the branches. There are hundreds of clematis varieties to choose from in different colors, bloom sizes and times. For example, early bloomers like Clematis alpina and macropetala types will flower alongside lilacs. Large-flowered clematis bloom later in summer after lilacs are done.
2. Peonies
Peonies are another traditional pairing with lilacs. Their huge, intensely colored blooms complement the lilacs beautifully. Peonies tend to bloom right after lilacs are finished. Look for varieties that bloom in late spring to early summer.
3. Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons and azaleas love the same growing conditions as lilacs. Their brightly colored blooms in shades of pink, purple and red make a perfect match. Choose evergreen varieties for year-round interest alongside lilacs.
4. Roses
Choose reblooming rose varieties to extend the spring floral display along with your lilacs. Shrub and climbing roses interplanted with lilacs make for a wonderfully fragrant duo.
5. Irises
There are numerous iris varieties to plant with lilacs, blooming in late spring to early summer. The sword-like foliage of iris provides nice contrast to the broader lilac leaves. Some great options include bearded, Siberian and Japanese iris.
6. Alliums
Alliums bloom prolifically in late spring in round, pom-pom shapes. The purple and pink varieties complement lilac blooms beautifully. Plant Allium ‘Millenium’ or ‘Globemaster’ for big impact. The allium foliage dies back after blooming.
7. Catmint
Catmint (Nepeta) blooms after lilacs are finished and forms a nice carpeting effect around lilac shrubs. Its blue flowers and gray-green aromatic foliage look right at home next to lilacs. It’s also drought tolerant once established.
8. Astilbe
The ferny foliage and feathery blooms of astilbe create lovely textural contrast next to lilac’s larger leaves and blossoms. Astilbe thrives in shade, so plant it under taller lilacs. Choose from many colors like white, pink, red and purple.
9. Spirea
Spirea offers abundant blooms in white, pink or red starting in late spring after lilacs are finished flowering. It fills space nicely and attracts pollinators. Prune annually after flowering. Varieties like ‘Magic Carpet’ and ‘Neon Flash’ have colorful foliage too.
10. Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantle is a pretty addition under lilacs, with its scalloped leaves and tiny yellow flowers. It spreads nicely as a groundcover and thrives in part shade, making it ideal under large lilac shrubs.
11. Lungwort
The colorful foliage and blue flowers of lungwort (Pulmonaria) add pretty contrast when planted around lilac shrubs. Lungwort does well in shade and helps highlight those lilac blooms.
12. Forget-Me-Nots
Dainty forget-me-nots (Myosotis) carpet the ground around lilacs nicely with their tiny blue flowers and fresh green leaves. They bloom in spring with lilacs and spread readily.
13. Bulbs
Spring flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils and hyacinths make perfect companions for lilacs. Plant them around the base of lilac shrubs for waves of spring color. They’ll bloom early, followed by the lilacs themselves, for continuous floral beauty. Choose varieties in complementing colors.
Tips for Planting Around Lilacs
- Focus on plants that thrive in the same conditions as lilacs – full sun to part shade and well-drained soil
- Choose companions that bloom before, during and after lilacs for extended floral displays
- Mix heights, textures and flower shapes for visual interest
- Add spring bulbs around lilac bases for waves of early color
- Use plants like catmint and lady’s mantle as lilac groundcovers
- Underplant taller lilacs with shade lovers like astilbe and lungwort
- Select companion plants in harmonizing colors that complement lilac blossoms
Extend the Lilac Season
Lilacs may bloom for just a short time, but with thoughtful plant pairings you can keep your garden looking beautiful and lively for months. Clematis, peonies, roses, iris, catmint and more are perfect partners to boost your lilac display.
Use this list of 13 fabulous companion plants for lilacs as a guide to choosing additions for your own garden. With the right plant combinations, you’ll enjoy an extended season of floral beauty alongside your treasured lilacs.
/purple-lilac-big-56a582865f9b58b7d0dd3a97.jpg)
Additional Lilac Bush Companions
Want to know what to plant with lilac bushes to make them bloom longer? You can make great use of other lilac bushes. In the past, all lilacs bloomed in the spring. Now, there are different types that bloom at different times. Choose bushes that bloom at different times so that you can enjoy lilacs for more than just a few weeks. Alternatively, you can select other flowering shrubs or small trees. Weigela works well, but so do the following:
Placed beside each other in your backyard, they make a fabulous spring display. If you want to try something new when planting with lilacs, let your lilac tree be a trellis for light vines. If you plant a lightweight vine like clematis, it can scale your lilac without hurting it. The great advantage is that clematis blooms after a spring-flowering lilac is already done. Lilac bushes also make good trellises for passionflower vines, like maypop. Maypop also blooms after the lilac blossoms have faded—large, fringed flowers—and, later, grows attractive, edible fruit.
Let the Planting Begin!!! Forsythias & Lilacs! // Garden Answer
FAQ
What can I plant next to lilac?
What to plant at the base of lilac?
Where should lilacs be planted in the yard?
What to plant when lilacs bloom?