{"product_id":"monge-lilac","title":"Monge Lilac","description":"\u003ch1\u003eBig, Fragrant Reddish-Purple Blooms on a Classic French Lilac\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonge Lilac (\u003cem\u003eSyringa vulgaris\u003c\/em\u003e 'Monge') is a stately old French lilac prized for its large trusses of deep, rich reddish-purple flowers and powerful, classic fragrance. It grows into a tall, upright shrub that makes a magnificent spring specimen or fragrant screen. Tough, cold-hardy, and deer-resistant, it's a heritage lilac for larger gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMonge Lilac Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSyringa vulgaris 'Monge'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 ft. tall, 6–8 ft. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours for best bloom)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMid to late spring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep reddish-purple, intensely fragrant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained; tolerates clay; prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F — lilacs love Minnesota winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed by deer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFragrant screens and specimens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its tall, upright form makes a bold spring specimen or a flowering privacy screen. Space 6–8 feet apart for a screen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator and cut-flower gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Butterflies love the rich blooms, which are superb cut for the vase. Pair with peonies, catmint, and salvia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) in full sun with good drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Monge Lilac\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Monge Lilac\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quite drought-tolerant — water during extended dry spells. Avoid soggy soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How dark are the flowers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmong the richest of the French lilacs — a deep reddish-purple with intense, classic fragrance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbsolutely — lilacs are among the toughest cold-climate shrubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How do I keep it blooming?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFull sun and pruning right after flowering (it blooms on old wood). Avoid late-summer pruning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — deer rarely browse lilacs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharles Joly Lilac (Syringa vulgaris):\u003c\/strong\u003e A deep magenta double French lilac.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Purple Lilac (Syringa vulgaris):\u003c\/strong\u003e The classic fragrant heirloom lilac.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeony (Paeonia):\u003c\/strong\u003e A fragrant spring companion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Monge Lilacs Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a fragrant flowering screen, space Monge Lilac 7 feet apart (it matures 6–8 feet wide):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eScreen Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (7 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–7 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a specimen, give a single plant an 8–10 foot circle to show off its tall, upright form — a magnificent anchor at a corner of the yard or beside a patio where the fragrance can drift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMonge Lilac Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e The headline act — large trusses of deep reddish-purple flowers open mid to late spring with powerful, classic lilac fragrance, drawing butterflies and filling vases indoors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clean, dark green heart-shaped foliage forms a dense, tall screen after the blooms finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage holds late into the season with a quiet yellow-green finish; the sturdy upright frame keeps its presence in the border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stout, hardy stems shrug off -40°F with flower buds already set for next spring's show — no protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/charles-joly-lilac\"\u003eCharles Joly Lilac\u003c\/a\u003e — the deep-magenta double French lilac named in this plant's own pairing list; the two heirlooms bloom together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/common-purple-lilac\"\u003eCommon Purple Lilac\u003c\/a\u003e — the classic heirloom; mix with Monge for a layered purple screen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/miss-kim-lilac\"\u003eMiss Kim Lilac\u003c\/a\u003e — blooms 2–3 weeks later, stretching your lilac season into early summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/wedgewood-blue-lilac\"\u003eWedgewood Blue Lilac\u003c\/a\u003e — soft lilac-blue trusses that contrast beautifully with Monge's deep reddish-purple.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Monge Lilac Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonge thrives in full sun (6+ hours), well-drained neutral to slightly alkaline soil, and a spot with room to reach 8–10 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide — ideal for larger Twin Cities lots that want a fragrant spring screen deer leave alone. It's not a fit if your space is small or shady: in less than 6 hours of sun bloom drops off sharply, and a compact yard is better served by a dwarf lilac like Miss Kim.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54313672835377,"sku":null,"price":43.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/monge-lilac.jpg?v=1779727885","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/monge-lilac","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}