Syringa vulgaris ( President Roosevelt Common Lilac )
Syringa vulgaris is a leggy , suckering , deciduous bush , somewhat irregular in shape . Leaves are medium immature , ovate to centre - shaped , up to 5 column inch long . President Roosevelt has single , purple flowers . This species is the common lilac , also referred to as French lilac , that most of us are familiar with ; extremely fragrant bloom on 4 to 8 in dense panicle , appearing in belated spring to early summertime ....