Early in the lilac season, before most neighbors’ shrubs have opened a bud, one upright bush at the corner of the yard is already covered in light pink-lilac flower clusters. That is Excel lilac, a hybrid that blooms early, handles hard winters, and copes with warmth better than most of its relatives.
What Is the Excel Lilac?
Excel is a selection of early hybrid lilac, Syringa x hyacinthiflora. It carries single flowers in a light pink-lilac that some references call purple. The blooms come early and in abundance on an upright plant.
Mature size is listed at 8′-10′ tall, and the plant can reach 12′ tall and 10′ wide. Plan for a large shrub, not a compact one.
What sets it apart is range. Excel is very cold hardy and also tolerant of warmer climates than most lilacs.
From the almanac
Lilacs in your state
The dates on this page depend on where you live. Your state's page carries its frost dates, its USDA zones and the year laid out month by month.
Northeast
Southeast
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Midwest
Southwest
West
Pacific Northwest
Canada
Where Does the Excel Lilac Grow Best?
Excel is rated for zones 3-9. It has a low chill requirement, so it still sets flowers where winter cold is short.
- Upper Midwest and Northern Plains: In Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota, the plant shrugs off deep winter cold, and its early bloom pushes flowers out ahead of later lilacs.
- New England and the Hudson Valley: Connecticut, Vermont and upstate New York suit it well, with cold winters and cool summers that keep growth steady.
- Piedmont and the Mid-South: In North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, the low chill requirement is what lets it bloom where many lilacs give only a few flowers.
- Gulf Coast and Deep South: Along the Gulf Coast and in southern Georgia, zone 9 is the outer limit, so expect a plant that needs a sunny, well-drained spot and may flower lightly.
The state selector just below this section leads to the page for your state, with local timing and conditions.
How to Care for the Excel Lilac Through the Year
Spring Bloom
Excel flowers early.
Pruning After Bloom
Excel can reach 12′ tall.
Summer
Fall
Winter
Excel is very cold hardy. This plant has a low chill requirement.
Excel Lilac Diseases and Weak Points
Excel is very cold hardy and tolerant of warmer climates than most lilacs.
| Threat | How Excel handles it |
|---|---|
| Severe winter cold | Very cold hardy, rated to zone 3 |
| Warm climate and mild winters | Tolerant of warmer climes, with a low chill requirement |
| Late spring freeze |
Is the Excel Lilac Right for Your Yard?
Excel suits yards with room for a shrub up to 10′ wide, such as a back corner, a property line, or a screen along a driveway. It is a poor fit for tight foundation beds or small side yards.
- Colder yards in zones 3 to 5 will find a dependable early bloomer that needs almost no winter protection.
- Warmer yards in zones 7 to 9 can still grow a lilac that flowers.
- The upkeep is a yearly thinning after bloom, so open your state’s page and check local timing before you plant.
Common Questions
How Far Apart Should You Plant Excel Lilacs for a Hedge?
Check each plant’s mature width before spacing a hedge.
Does Excel Lilac Smell Like a Common Lilac?
Can You Grow Excel Lilac in a Large Container?
A shrub that reaches 8′-10′ needs room to grow.