Charles Joly Lilac
Charles Joly Lilac
Fragrant Deep-Magenta Double Blooms on a Classic French Lilac
Charles Joly Lilac (Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly') is a treasured heirloom French lilac famous for its luxurious, double, deep magenta-purple flowers and powerful fragrance. The richly colored trusses are stunning in the garden and the vase. A tall, vigorous, deer-resistant shrub, it makes a magnificent fragrant specimen or screen for gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Charles Joly Lilac Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly' |
| Mature Size | 8–10 ft. tall, 6–8 ft. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hours for best bloom) |
| Bloom Time | Mid to late spring |
| Flower Color | Deep magenta-purple, double, intensely fragrant |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates clay; prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -40°F — lilacs love Minnesota winters |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Fragrant specimens and screens: Its rich double blooms make a striking spring specimen or fragrant screen. Space 6–8 feet apart.
Pollinator and cut-flower gardens: Butterflies love the blooms, which are luxurious in a vase. Pair with peonies, catmint, and salvia.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) in full sun with good drainage.
How to Plant Charles Joly Lilac
Dig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep, keeping mulch off the stems. Space 6–8 feet apart.
Watering Charles Joly Lilac
First year: Water deeply every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Quite drought-tolerant — water during extended dry spells. Avoid soggy soil.
Q: Are the flowers really double?
Yes — each floret is doubled, giving the deep magenta trusses extra fullness and a luxurious look.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Absolutely — a tough, long-lived heirloom lilac.
Q: How do I keep it blooming?
Full sun and pruning right after flowering (it blooms on old wood). Avoid late-summer pruning.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer rarely browse lilacs.
You May Also Like
Monge Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): A deep reddish-purple single French lilac.
Beauty of Moscow Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): A double white-blush heirloom.
Peony (Paeonia): A fragrant spring companion.
How Many Charles Joly Lilacs Do I Need?
For a fragrant privacy screen or property-line hedge, space Charles Joly 6–8 feet apart — its 6–8 foot mature width closes the gaps into a solid wall of bloom:
| Run Length | Plants Needed (6–8 ft spacing) |
| 10 feet | 2 |
| 20 feet | 3 |
| 30 feet | 4–5 |
| 40 feet | 5–6 |
As a specimen, give a single plant an 8-foot circle of open space near a patio, walkway, or window where the fragrance can be enjoyed up close.
Charles Joly Lilac Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: The headline act — dense trusses of double, deep magenta-purple flowers in mid to late May, with a fragrance that carries across the yard; prime cut-flower season.
- Summer: Clean, heart-shaped green foliage on a tall, vigorous frame; prune right after bloom if shaping is needed, since next year's buds set on old wood.
- Fall: Foliage holds green late, then drops without much color change — lilacs put their energy into next spring's flower buds instead.
- Winter: Sturdy upright stems shrug off –40°F with zero protection — this heirloom has been surviving Minnesota winters for over a century.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Monge Lilac — a deep reddish-purple single French lilac that blooms in the same window for a two-tone purple screen.
- Beauty of Moscow Lilac — pink buds opening to double white blooms; the classic light-and-dark heirloom pairing.
- Miss Kim Lilac — blooms 2–3 weeks later, stretching the lilac season into June.
- Common Purple Lilac — the old-fashioned single purple for filling out a long fragrant hedge affordably.
Is Charles Joly Lilac Right for Your Yard?
Charles Joly thrives in full sun (6+ hours) with well-drained, neutral-to-alkaline soil and room to reach 8–10 feet tall — ideal along a fence, property line, or as a fragrant anchor in a big sunny bed, even where deer pressure is heavy. It's not a fit if your spot is shady or stays soggy — bloom drops off sharply in shade, and lilacs sulk in wet feet.