Frank P Matthews Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’ Lilac Tree - 12Ltr Pot
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Frank P Matthews Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’ (Lilac) – 12L Pot
Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’ lilac is a striking, fragrant lilac shrub known for its eye-catching purplish-red flowers, each petal beautifully edged with a crisp white margin for standout late spring colour.
Key Features
- Large, single, highly scented blooms in May–June
- Distinctive purplish-red florets with white-edged petals for dramatic contrast
- Awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit
- Attractive to wildlife including bees and butterflies
- Thrives in chalky, neutral, or alkaline soils and is easy to grow
- Ideal for borders, specimen planting, or large containers
Product Description
Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’ is one of the most distinctive lilacs, producing generous panicles of single flowers in rich purplish red, each floret finished with a crisp white margin. The blooms are wonderfully fragrant and appear in late spring to early summer, bringing colour and scent to the garden when many shrubs are just getting started.
This deciduous shrub has a relatively loose, naturally elegant habit and becomes broader with age, making it a great choice for mixed borders or as a focal point. Its green foliage provides a fresh, classic backdrop to the vivid bicolour flowers.
Easy to grow in most well-drained, fertile soils, ‘Sensation’ performs best in full sun where flowering is strongest. It is particularly well-suited to chalky ground and benefits from mulching when planted in sunnier positions to support healthy growth.
Specifications
- Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’
- Common Name: Lilac
- Plant Type: Deciduous flowering shrub / small tree form
- Supplied As: 12L pot grown plant
- Flower Colour: Purplish red with white-edged petals
- Foliage Colour: Green
- Flowering Period: May–June
- Height & Spread at Maturity: Approx. 3m x 2m (after 10 years)
- Habit / Shape: Relatively loose, bushy
- Size: Small
- Position: Border, shrub bed, specimen planting, or containers
- Aspect: Full sun
- Soil Type: Chalk, clay, loam, or sand
- Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
- Moisture Requirements: Well-drained
- Hardiness Rating: Hardy to -10°C
- Wildlife Value: Attractive to bees and butterflies
- Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
- Other Features: Scented flowers, chalk tolerant
Care Tips
- Plant in full sun for the best flower colour and scent
- Grow in well-drained, fertile, humus-rich soil; avoid waterlogged areas
- Mulch around the base after planting (especially in sunny spots) to help retain moisture
- Water regularly during the first growing season and during prolonged dry spells
- Prune by replacement pruning after flowering to maintain shape and support next year’s blooms
- Remove spent flower heads to keep the plant tidy and direct energy into growth
Choose Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’ for unforgettable spring fragrance and bold bicolour blooms - a superb statement shrub for sunny borders, patios, and a thoughtful gift for lilac lovers.
About Us
About Us
We are a family run, independent Garden Centre, Farm Shop and Restaurant combined. We are proud to offer the very best gardening, home and outdoor living products alongside delicious, fresh, locally produced food and drink.
Awarded 'Best Garden Centre in the UK in 2018 & 2021 you can rest assured that we offer excellent products, plants and customer service.
Learn more about us and our story on the 'About Us' page.
Delivery
Delivery
Collect your order in-store, have it delivered to your door, or choose a convenient InPost Locker!
We aim to dispatch orders as quickly as possible using trusted couriers.
Your Questions Answered...
What are the delivery options and prices?
We offer Standard (3-5 working days) and Express (1-2 working days) delivery for a small additional charge.
- Postable items (e.g., seed packets, gift cards) - £2.95 via Royal Mail.
- Smaller, lighter items - £4.95 – £6.95.
- Larger, heavier, and fragile items - £9.95 – £19.95.
- Pallet deliveries (e.g., furniture) - from £69.95 (see kerbside pallet delivery details below).
The exact delivery charge is calculated at checkout based on your selected items.
New! Deliver to InPost Locker
Instead of home delivery, choose to collect your parcel from an InPost Locker near you.
- Delivery rates: £3.95 or £4.95 depending on item size.
- How it works: Choose InPost after completing your order. You'll receive a notification when your parcel is ready to collect.
- Collection options: Scan the QR code or open the locker remotely via the InPost app. If collecting from a shop, show your QR code to the staff.
- Collection time: You have 3 days to pick up your parcel. InPost will send a reminder 24 hours before expiry.
- Tracking: Track your parcel via the InPost app or the tracking link in your confirmation email.
Can someone else pick up my parcel?
Yes! Share your QR code or collection code (sent via email) along with your mobile number, and they can collect it for you.
Do I need ID to collect from an InPost Locker?
No, just scan the QR code in the app or your email. For InPost Shop collections, show the QR code to the staff.
Any more questions?
Visit InPost’s [help page](#) for more details or check their blog for tips and updates.
How do I track my delivery?
Once your order is dispatched, you'll receive an email with tracking details.
Who delivers my order?
Depending on size and weight, orders are delivered by Royal Mail, Evri, or Parcelforce. Furniture and large items arrive via kerbside pallet delivery.
What is kerbside pallet delivery?
Large items like furniture are delivered on a pallet using a heavy goods vehicle. The pallet is placed at the nearest safe kerbside location. The driver cannot move it across uneven ground or remove the items from the pallet.
We can arrange a delivery date that suits you. If access for large vehicles is difficult, please let us know in advance.
What should I do if my order arrives damaged?
If your order is damaged in transit, email us a photo and your order number within 24 hours so we can resolve the issue.
Do you deliver to Northern Ireland?
Yes, though some larger or heavier items may incur a surcharge. Unfortunately, we cannot ship plants to Northern Ireland at this time.
Do any UK areas have a delivery surcharge?
Additional delivery charges may apply for:
- Channel Islands
- Northern Ireland
- Scottish Highlands & Islands
- Isle of Man & Isle of Wight
- Scilly Isles
What is the warranty on my purchase?
All products come with a manufacturer’s warranty (typically 12 months unless stated otherwise). Faulty items within the warranty period may be repaired or replaced subject to the manufacturer’s terms.
Still have questions?
Contact us via our enquiry form, call 01497 847055, or email shoponline@oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk.
Returns
Returns
How do I return an item?
If a purchase is no longer required you are able to return the goods within 28 days of delivery for a full refund in accordance with our refunds policy set out in Clause 10 of our Terms & Conditions. We will refund any money received from you using the same method originally used by you to pay for your purchase. Please make sure that you include the sales order or invoice with your return.
When returning items to us, please ensure that any and all original packaging, instructions, tags etc are included as supplied to you. We recommend using a recorded/insured service to return your order. The Old Railway Garden Centre cannot be held responsible for returned items lost or damaged in transit to us.
