The cost of a lilac tree is not a fixed number but varies widely based on its physical characteristics, purchase location, and specific cultivar. This popular, fragrant deciduous shrub can also be trained into a small tree form. The price reflects its size, maturity, and rarity. Understanding the variables that determine the initial sticker price and subsequent ongoing maintenance expenses allows a buyer to make an informed decision. The initial cost for a lilac specimen can range from less than ten dollars for a small bare-root cutting to several hundred dollars for a large, established tree.
Initial Cost Variables
The size and the form in which a lilac is sold significantly determine its initial price. A small, dormant plant sold as a bare-root specimen is the most economical option, often priced between $8 and $20. These young saplings have the soil washed away from the roots, making them lightweight and inexpensive to ship. Bare-root plants require immediate planting in early spring and demand careful attention during establishment.
Containerized lilacs represent a step up in price and maturity, with the cost correlating directly to the container volume. A plant in a 1-gallon pot may cost $25 to $40, while a larger, established specimen in a 5-gallon container often sells for $60 to over $100. The soil and pot increase the weight and retail price, but the plant offers a greater immediate presence and a more developed root system. The most expensive initial purchase is a balled-and-burlapped (B&B) lilac, which is a mature shrub dug with its root ball wrapped in burlap. A B&B lilac can cost several hundred dollars, reflecting its significant size and the labor involved in preparation and transport.
Price Differences by Purchase Source
The retail location where a lilac is purchased introduces price variability, independent of the plant’s size or variety. Local specialty nurseries typically offer the highest prices, justified by the quality of the plant stock and specialized expertise. Staff can offer precise advice on local growing conditions and varietal selection, reducing the risk of plant failure. They often stock locally grown plants already acclimated to the regional climate.
Big box stores generally sell lilacs at the lowest prices, often half the cost of a local nursery, due to high-volume purchasing. While budget-friendly, the selection is usually limited to common varieties, and the plants may receive less specialized care, increasing the risk of purchasing a less vigorous specimen. Online retailers feature variable pricing and the widest selection. For larger, containerized plants, however, shipping and handling fees can add a substantial amount to the total cost. The cost of shipping a heavy, soil-filled container, especially for plants in 3-gallon or 5-gallon pots, can sometimes equal the price of the plant itself.
Understanding Variety Pricing
The specific type of lilac, or cultivar, significantly impacts the price, reflecting the complexity of its breeding and unique horticultural features. The common purple lilac, which has been cultivated for centuries, is the most readily available and least expensive variety. More specialized or recently developed cultivars command a premium due to scarcity, patented status, or desirable traits requiring extensive breeding efforts. Examples include popular reblooming lilacs, such as the ‘Bloomerang’ series, which bloom multiple times throughout the growing season instead of just in the spring.
Dwarf lilacs, like the ‘Miss Kim’ or ‘Dwarf Korean Lilac,’ are also priced higher because their compact growth habit is valued for smaller landscapes. Novelty colors, such as the yellow-flowered ‘Primrose’ or bicolored varieties like ‘Sensation’ (purple flowers edged in white), also increase the cost due to their unique aesthetic appeal. Patented varieties often carry a higher price point to cover licensing fees and the research and development costs invested by the breeder. For example, a common lilac might start at $15 for a small plant, while a patented, reblooming cultivar of the same size could easily start at $40 or more.
Beyond the Sticker Price: Ongoing Costs
The financial investment in a lilac continues beyond the initial purchase price, as ongoing maintenance requires a budget for tools and supplies. Lilacs prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil, so gardeners may need to periodically purchase soil amendments like agricultural lime to adjust acidic conditions, costing around $10 to $20 per bag. While lilacs do not require heavy feeding, an annual application of a low-nitrogen fertilizer or general-purpose organic compost in the spring promotes healthy growth and flowering, adding a small recurring expense.
Pruning is necessary to encourage air circulation and stimulate new growth for better blooms, requiring an investment in quality bypass pruners or loppers, which range from $30 to $75. Lilacs are susceptible to common issues like powdery mildew, a fungal infection appearing as a white coating on the leaves. Treating this may involve purchasing a fungicidal spray or horticultural oil, typically costing $15 to $30 per bottle. Occasionally, pests such as the lilac borer, a larva that tunnels into the stems, may require targeted insecticidal treatments or the removal of infected wood.