Common Purple Lilac vs Russian Almond - TreeTime.ca

Common Purple Lilac vs Russian Almond

Prunus tenella

Syringa vulgaris

Russian Almond
Common Purple Lilac

Russian Almond is a low maintenance, short, slightly suckering shrub. It is covered with attractive, bright pink flowers in early spring before its foliage emerges.

This hardy species forms dense thickets attracts wildlife. Russian Almond prefers full sun and well-drained soils, but can tolerate moist soils.

The nuts it produces are quite attractive but very small. They are bitter and possibly toxic in large quantities.

Check out our YouTube channel video of the Russian Almond here.

Common Purple Lilac is a popular lilac. This large shrub provides excellent privacy or wind protection in an attractive package.

Lilac flowers are pleasantly fragrant and add a beautiful lavender colour to your property. Common Purple Lilac is cold hardy, easy to grow, and can tolerate most soil types.

Some people alternate villosa and common purple lilacs to create the impression that the hedge is in flower for almost a full month with the common purple flowering about 2 weeks sooner than the Villosa Lilac.

Russian Almond Quick Facts

Common Purple Lilac Quick Facts

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Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Flowers: bright pink
Flowers: dark purple, extremely fragrant
Nuts: small fuzzy nuts
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: dwarf russian almond
Other Names: common lilac, french hybrid lilac, lilac