A lilac in bloom stops you on the front walk before you see the shrub. Sugar Plum Fairy is a small, rounded lilac that fits beds where a common lilac would swallow the path.
What Is the Sugar Plum Fairy Lilac?
Sugar Plum Fairy is a Syringa cultivar, a cross of Syringa microphylla ‘Superba’ and Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’, sold under the name ‘Bailsugar’. It belongs to the Fairytale series of lilacs.
The habit is compact and mounded, with small leaves and well-branched stems. At maturity it reaches 4 to 5 feet tall and wide, which makes it the most compact cultivar in its series.
The flowers are rosy-lilac and carry the classic lilac fragrance. Because the habit is well-branched, the shrub holds a tidy shape without much shaping from you.
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 Sugar Plum Fairy Lilac Grow Best?
This lilac is hardy to USDA Hardiness zone 3. The state selector just below this section takes you to the page for your own state.
- Upper Midwest: The Fairytale lilacs overwinter easily in Iowa.
- Northern New England and the Northern Rockies: Compare local conditions with its USDA Hardiness zone 3 rating before planting.
- Gulf Coast and the Deep South: Ask a local garden center whether this lilac suits warm, humid conditions.
Wherever you garden, choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.
How to Care for the Sugar Plum Fairy Lilac Through the Year
Bloom
The rosy-lilac flowers carry a lovely lilac fragrance. Plant the shrub near a path, a porch or an open window so the scent reaches you.
Pruning
The shrub’s well-branched habit does not require extensive pruning. Its compact, mounded habit and well-branched stems limit the need for shaping.
Summer
Sun and drainage matter most through the warm months. Plant the shrub in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Choose a site with well-drained soil.
Fall
The plant has small foliage and a well-branched habit.
Winter
The Fairytale lilacs are hardy to USDA Hardiness zone 3.
Sugar Plum Fairy Lilac Diseases and Weak Points
Foliage trouble is the usual complaint with lilacs, and this cultivar largely sidesteps it. The leaves stay clean through the season, which keeps the shrub looking good after the flowers are gone.
The compact, well-branched habit does not require extensive pruning. Plant it in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
| Threat | How Sugar Plum Fairy handles it |
|---|---|
| Leaf diseases | The foliage is disease free |
| Leggy, overgrown growth | Well-branched habit that does not need extensive pruning |
Choose a spot with well-drained soil.
Is the Sugar Plum Fairy Lilac Right for Your Yard?
It suits a small front yard, a foundation bed or a spot along a walk, where a full-size lilac would crowd the space. It also suits gardeners who want fragrance without regular pruning. It is a poor fit for deep shade or soggy, low ground.
- Choose a sunny bed with well-drained soil, and plant it where you will notice the scent in spring.
- In the warm, humid parts of the country, check with a local garden center before buying.
- Open your state page from the selector above to see the planting and care timing for your area.
Common Questions
What Soil Does Sugar Plum Fairy Lilac Prefer?
It prefers sunny locations with well-drained soils. If water does not drain well, choose a different site.
Can You Use Sugar Plum Fairy Lilac as a Hedge?
The cultivar has a compact, mounded habit. Space plants according to the mature width on the plant tag so the shrubs touch without crowding.
How Tall Does Sugar Plum Fairy Lilac Grow?
It reaches 4 to 5 feet tall and wide at maturity. Check the tag at purchase for the exact figure.