Pinktini Lilac
Pinktini Lilac
Fragrant Soft-Pink Blooms on an Easy, Tidy Lilac
Pinktini Lilac (Syringa 'Pinktini') brings the classic, intoxicating lilac fragrance in a softer color and a more compact, well-shaped form. Clusters of soft pink flowers cover the upright shrub in late spring, perfuming the whole garden and drawing butterflies. Tough, cold-hardy, and deer-resistant, it's a beautiful, low-fuss choice for borders, screens, and entryways in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Pinktini Lilac Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Syringa 'Pinktini' |
| Mature Size | 5–6 ft. tall, 4–5 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 | Soft pink, 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 borders and screens: Plant it where you'll catch the scent — near patios, walks, and windows. Space 4–5 feet apart for an informal screen.
Pollinator and cut-flower gardens: Butterflies love the blooms, and the flowers are wonderful in a spring 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). Lilacs are very forgiving but appreciate good drainage and full sun.
How to Plant Pinktini 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 4–5 feet apart.
Watering Pinktini 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: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Absolutely — lilacs are among the toughest shrubs for cold climates, needing winter chill to bloom well.
Q: How do I keep it blooming?
Give it full sun and prune right after flowering (lilacs bloom on old wood). Avoid late-summer pruning, which removes next year's buds.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer rarely browse lilacs.
Q: How fragrant is it?
Very — it has the classic, sweet lilac perfume in a soft pink form.
You May Also Like
Little Lady Lilac (Syringa): A compact pink lilac for smaller spaces.
Beauty of Moscow Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): A double white-blush heirloom lilac.
Peony (Paeonia): A fragrant spring companion for the lilac season.
How Many Pinktini Lilac Do I Need?
For a fragrant informal screen or hedge, space Pinktini about 4–5 ft apart (the count below uses ~4.5 ft). Give it room — it matures to 4–5 ft wide.
| Run Length | Plants Needed (4.5 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 3 |
| 20 ft | 5 |
| 30 ft | 7 |
| 40 ft | 9 |
As an accent, plant a single shrub near a patio or window for the fragrance, or group 3 about 4–5 ft apart for a fuller cloud of pink.
Pinktini Lilac Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Clusters of soft pink, intensely fragrant flowers cover the upright shrub in mid to late spring, drawing butterflies. Prune right after bloom.
- Summer: Settles into clean green foliage on a tidy, well-shaped form.
- Fall: Quietly drops its leaves with little fall color.
- Winter: A bare, upright framework; fully hardy and waiting for next spring's chill-driven bloom.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Little Lady Lilac — a compact pink lilac for the front of the same fragrant border.
- Beauty of Moscow Lilac — double white-blush heirloom blooms for a two-tone lilac planting.
- Common Purple Lilac — the classic deep-purple, sweetly fragrant companion.
- Miss Kim Lilac — blooms a couple weeks later to stretch the lilac season.
Is Pinktini Lilac Right for Your Yard?
Pinktini thrives in full sun (6+ hours) in well-drained, neutral-to-slightly-alkaline soil with about 4–5 ft of room, and once established it shrugs off both drought and deer — a low-fuss fragrant shrub for Minnesota winters. Not a fit for heavy shade, which sharply cuts the bloom, or for soggy, poorly drained spots where lilac roots resent wet feet.