Plant Type: Deciduous flowering shrub
Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris ‘Charles Joly’
Flower Colour: Deep wine-red to purple-magenta
Growth Habit: Vigorous, upright shrub
Final Height: Approx. 3–4 m
Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained soil
Flowering Period: Mid to late spring
Hardiness: Suitable for outdoor growing once established

Lilac ‘Charles Joly’ is one of the most admired double-flowering varieties, valued for its rich colouring, strong fragrance, and striking spring display. It is a classic choice for gardens that call for both elegance and intensity.

This variety produces large, dense panicles of fully double flowers in deep wine-red to purple-magenta tones. The blooms are richly scented and appear abundantly during mid to late spring, creating a dramatic and luxurious seasonal feature.

‘Charles Joly’ grows as a vigorous, upright deciduous shrub, gradually reaching approximately 3 to 4 metres in height. Over time it becomes a long-lived structural element, offering reliable flowering and garden presence year after year.

For best performance, plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Lilacs benefit from open positions with good air circulation and ample light, supporting healthy growth and consistent bloom production.

Pruning should be carried out shortly after flowering, as lilacs form the following season’s buds on older wood. Removing spent flower heads and selectively thinning mature stems helps maintain vigour and continued productivity.

For gardeners seeking deep colour, full double blooms, and classic fragrance, ‘Charles Joly’ remains one of the finest and most dependable choices.