Overview
With reliable performance, stability of colour and form and good resistance to pests and diseases, this pretty deciduous shrub has highly fragrant clusters of large lavender blue, double flowers that fade to lilac in mid summer, flooding your garden with a beautiful scent. 
 
Description
Katherine Havemeyer was recognised by the RHS in 1922 for its reliable performance, stability of colour and form and good resistance to pests and diseases. In May, this deciduous shrub  has dense, highly fragrant clusters of large lavender blue, double flowers that fade to lilac in mid summer, flooding your garden with a beautiful scent.  Providing a magnet for many insects and butterflies, this lilac also makes a useful pollinator for other plants as well.  Spreading with age, you can plant this as a specimen or within a mixed shrub border for its dramatic blooms.
 
Planting Position
Although tolerant of light shade, for best flower production, plant in full sun.  This lilac will grow easily in fertile, alkaline to neutral, dry to medium and well-drained soils.  It does not like acidic soils and will thrive in chalky soils.
 
Attributes
The scent of these highly fragrant flowers will linger over your garden and are perfect for attracting pollinating insects and butterflies. Lilacs also make wonderful cut flowers for your home.