Tom Coward is head gardener at Gravetye Manor in East Sussex gravetyemanor.co.uk
SYRINGA VULGARIS ‘WILLIAM ROBINSON’
The common lilac, S. vulgaris, is native in mountainous regions of Eastern Europe. It is a variable species that was highly hybridised in the 19th century, resulting in more than 500 named cultivars. ‘William Robinson’, named after the garden writer who created the gardens at Gravetye Manor, has large panicles of double, pinkish-lilac flowers and exceptional scent. Prune straight after flowering by removing flowered wood.
Height and spread 4m x 3m (size can be controlled by pruning).
Origin Bred by Victor Lemoine in 1899, Nancy, France.
Conditions Happy on most soils and will thrive on chalk; flowers best in full sun but tolerates light shade.
Hardiness RHS H6, USDA .
