A deciduous shrub 2 to 8 m tall consisting of numerous trunks covered with a gray-brown bark. Irregularly shaped trunks give the shrub an old tree appearance. This peculiarity can be successfully realized in growing lilac bonsai.

The color of the leaves is light or dark green. Flowering is from late April to early June.  Lush bunches of flowers are mesmerizing and impressive — white, purple, purple and violet hues. Syringa vulgaris has the strongest and most pleasant fragrance of any lilac species.

When growing lilacs by seed, sow in the fall or spring after seed stratification. To perform the stratification soak the seeds in water for 2–3 days, mix them with sand and store in the refrigerator for two to three months at +2…+5 °C. In spring, the seeds are placed in seedling pots and placed in a warm, lighted place. Soil is kept moist by daily spraying. Sprouts appear in 15–30 days. The soil should be drained to provide the roots with air. Water regularly, but avoid constantly wet soil. Lilacs like sunny locations, but direct sunlight should be avoided during the seedling growth period.