LILAC – also known as Syringa – is a glorious shrubs with clusters of fragrant flowers in all shades of mauve, pink and white.

If you have a small garden look for a slow-growing lilac which forms a compact bush covered from late spring to early summer with clusters of fragrant flowers.

Lilac is an easy plant which will grow in any reasonable garden soil, although it prefers chalk and being placed in a sunny spot.

Be warned that some types will grow to four metres tall and will require a bit of care.

You will need to feed or mulch them annually and remove both suckers and dead flowers.

Cut out thin and unproductive branches immediately after flowering.