Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) in full bloom are the highlight of any spring garden. Their fragrance? Heavenly. Their blossoms? Absolutely stunning. They’re the superstars of the season, especially in northern and colder climates. But once their show is over, what’s left? Just a lot of green. Gorgeous green, but still, just green.
While extraordinarily good-looking on their own during their blooming season, lilacs are irresistible in full bloom. However, once the flowers fade, they no longer present much interest. To keep the garden lively, it’s a good idea to plant perennials beneath your lilacs. By underplanting lilacs with perennial flowers, you add color against the green foliage of midsummer lilacs, ensuring your garden stays vibrant. Here are ten perennials that pair wonderfully with lilacs, composing a “living bouquet” during the rest of the growing season.
10 perennials to plant under the lilac
1. Fragrant Spring Phlox (Phlox divaricata ‘White Perfume’)
This delicate perennial carpets the ground with a subtle yet captivating presence. Stems grow in May and June, bearing clusters of white flowers. But the magic lies in their scent—an intense, jasmine-like fragrance with fruity notes of hyacinth. Not all Phlox divaricata are fragrant, but ‘White Perfume’ lives up to its name, filling your garden with a heavenly aroma that invites you to pause and breathe deeply.
2: Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Hosts are perfect for ground cover beneath lilacs. They thrive in the partial shade provided by the lilac’s dense foliage. With their wide, lush leaves, hostas can keep the soil cool, suppress weeds, and add a rich, green backdrop to your garden. Their foliage comes in various shades of green, often with striking variegation, adding visual interest even when not in bloom. Hostas also produce beautiful flower spikes in summer, adding an extra layer of beauty.
3. Lupinus ‘Noblemaiden’ (Lupinus x polyphyllus)
This star performer boasts white spikes that steal the show in May and June. After a rapid growth spurt, they form seeds that ensure the plant’s legacy continues. Here’s the trick: cut them back to ground level post-bloom, and they’ll surprise you with a second flowering in September. Each plant lives for about two to three years, but the numerous seeds they produce will give you a delightful variety of colors in future blooms. It’s like having a new surprise every season!
4: Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Lily of the Valley is another excellent ground cover that looks charming under lilacs. These tiny, bell-shaped flowers emit a sweet fragrance that pairs perfectly with that of the lilac. Blooming in late spring, they prefer the same type of soil and light conditions, making them an easy addition to your garden. Their lush green leaves and dainty white flowers add a timeless charm, creating a classic, romantic feel.
5. Small Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Meet the unsung hero of ground cover. This pretty little creeping plant blankets the ground even in winter, effectively slowing down the appearance of weeds. Come spring, it sends up short vertical stems adorned with numerous small blue flowers. You can also find varieties in white or purple. It’s incredibly low-maintenance, requiring no special care, and thrives even in the shady spots under taller plants. It’s the perfect plant to keep your garden looking tidy and vibrant with minimal effort.
6. Ostrich Feather Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
This fern adds an element of lightness and elegance to your garden. Its feathery fronds unfurl in spring in a spectacular fashion, showcasing a beautiful soft green color that darkens over the summer. As autumn arrives, the fronds take on pretty golden-yellow shades before disappearing for the winter. Fear not, as they reliably return every spring, accompanied by new rosettes, and slowly but surely, they spread to fill your garden with their delicate charm.
7: Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)
Grape Hyacinths are small but mighty when it comes to making an impact. These spring bulbs bloom around the same time as lilacs, creating a stunning blue and purple landscape. They are easy to plant and require little maintenance, making them perfect companions. Their tiny, bell-shaped flowers add a delightful texture and a pop of color to the garden floor, complementing the lilac’s larger blooms beautifully.
8. Pink Heuchera (Heuchera x sanguinea)
Known for its striking foliage, this traditional perennial used to be a favorite for borders but now finds its place in more varied garden settings. Its light stems and delicate flowers add a touch of brightness, complementing the other ground-covering plants. The foliage persists through winter, offering a mix of green marbled with silver, ensuring your garden has visual interest year-round. It’s a fantastic way to introduce some vibrant foliage and subtle flowers to your garden’s tapestry.
9. Meadow Rue (Thalictrum aquilegiifolium ‘Album’)
With foliage similar to that of the columbine, this plant stands taller and blooms in May and June with clusters of white flowers. It prefers cool, moist soils and will self-seed to a small extent, ensuring its presence year after year. Though it might seem to vanish in the summer, it makes a reliable return every spring, adding height and a touch of ethereal beauty to your garden with its delicate flowers and lush foliage.
6. Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)
Columbine is the epitome of grace and beauty in a garden. It grows rapidly to produce its charming flowers in May, and after blooming, it scatters numerous seeds. These seeds sprout and multiply, creating an increasingly abundant display of delicate, nodding flowers each year. Allowing them to self-seed means you’ll enjoy a natural, ever-growing cloud of blooms that adds a touch of wild elegance to your garden.
