Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Missimo'

Common Name:
Hyacinth Lilac 'Missimo'

Description:
Syringa x hyacinthiflora 'Missimo' is an early-flowering lilac cultivar prized for its dramatic deep purple buds and rich magenta to violet blooms. A member of the hyacinthiflora group—hybrids between Syringa vulgaris and Syringa oblata—'Missimo' offers all the charm of traditional lilacs with earlier flowering, strong perfume, and excellent mildew resistance. It produces large, upright panicles in early to mid-spring, with each floret unfurling from wine-coloured buds into vibrant reddish-purple blooms. The scent is powerful, sweet, and unmistakably lilac, drawing in bees and butterflies. Its foliage is lush green during the growing season and may develop bronze to burgundy hues in autumn. This robust, upright deciduous shrub performs well in Melbourne gardens, preferring full sun and well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Its vibrant colouring and fragrance make it perfect as a standout feature, flowering hedge, or spring border plant.

Form:

• Shrub - Medium

Mature Size:

• Height: 2.5–3 metres

• Width: 2–2.5 metres

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring (early to mid-spring)

Flower Colour:

• Deep magenta-purple

• Reddish violet

Key Attributes:

• Scented flowers

• Bee Attracting

• Bird Attracting

• Perennial

• Cold Hardy

• Early flowering

• Suitable for Hedging

• Excellent cut flower

• Good mildew resistance

Toxicity:

• Not known to be toxic to humans or animals

Companion Plants:

• Salvia nemorosa

• Rosa 'Charles de Mills'

• Lavandula angustifolia

• Paeonia lactiflora

• Nepeta (Catmint)