Syringa Vulgaris Andenken an Ludwig Späth Lilac

Syringa Vulgaris Andenken an Ludwig Späth is one of the best purple lilacs you can buy. It holds the RHS AGM and is smothered in fragrant, pollinator magnet purple flowers throughout spring and summer.

Syringa Vulgaris is better known as common lilac. It’s native to the Balkan peninsula but has naturalised across most of Europe and America over the last few centuries. The cultivar Lilac Andenken an Ludwig Spaeth means ‘Souvenir of Ludwig Späth’ who was a German botanist and nurseryman born in 1793. It’s considered one of the best deep purple lilacs.

Lilac Andenken an Ludwig Spath is a medium-sized bushy lilac with dark green deciduous heart-shaped foliage that appears in early spring. Its superb single purple flowers follow the foliage in 30 cms long elegant but dense panicles. Its flowers are highly scented and adored by pollinators, especially butterflies.

Lilac Andenken an Ludwig Spaeth can be grown as a small ornamental tree or a shrub to fill any size garden with glorious colour and scent.

Height And Spread of Syringa Vulgaris Andenken an Ludwig Späth
Lilac Andenken an Ludwig Spaeth is a medium-sized syringa that will grow to a maximum height and spread of 4 metres.

How Hardy is Syringa Vulgaris Andenken an Ludwig Späth
Lilac is a hardy shrub that can withstand UK winters if its roots are well-drained. Once established it can cope with some drought or pollution. It’s also deer resistant and suitable for countryside planting.

How To Use Syringa Vulgaris Andenken an Ludwig Späth
Lilac Andenken an Ludwig Spaeth suits low maintenance country cottage style gardens and urban courtyards as an ornamental specimen tree or shrub.

It’s lovely planted near a garden seating area or open window so you can appreciate the scent which is especially strong in full sun in the morning and evenings. It’s also a good choice for pollinator-friendly gardens that want to encourage bees and especially butterflies.

Lilac is an excellent addition to cut flower gardens because its panicles are long-lasting in displays and prolific enough on the shrub to cover any cut areas.

How To Care For Syringa Vulgaris Andenken an Ludwig Späth
This is an easy-to-grow reliable lilac that requires very little maintenance. It does best in a sunny, well-drained spot and thrives on chalky ground. It can cope with some exposure, but the best flowering displays are found on partially sheltered lilacs.

Water it well until established and prune it back each year to encourage its flower production. Remove any crossed stems and cut back to your preferred height after flowering.

A thick layer of organic mulch on the roots in early spring will help boost the richly scented flower display. More on Lilac Trees on our blog.