Common Lilac 'Krasavitsa Moskvy': The Beauty of Moscow in Bloom

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• Family:	Oleaceae (oh-lee-AY-see-ee) (Info)
  Genus:	Syringa (si-RING-gah) (Info)
  Species:	vulgaris (vul-GAIR-iss) (Info)
  Cultivar:	Krasavitsa Moskvy
  Additional cultivar information:	(aka Beauty of Moscow)

Overview

'Krasavitsa Moskvy' (Russian for **"Beauty of Moscow"**) is one of the most celebrated lilac cultivars worldwide. Bred in 1943 by Leonid Kolesnikov in the Soviet Union, this French lilac (Syringa vulgaris) selection is revered for its unique **double flowers that open from pink buds into huge, fragrant, creamy-white panicles**—a color transformation that creates a stunning two-tone effect at peak bloom.

Flowers & Fragrance

The flower buds are a distinct, deep pink. As the florets open, they reveal fully double, rosette-like blossoms of creamy white with a faint blush, arranged in dense, pyramidal panicles (6–8 inches long). The contrast of pink buds and white flowers is exquisite. The fragrance is **intensely sweet, rich, and classic lilac**—among the strongest of all cultivars. Bloom time is mid-to-late spring (typically May).

Plant Habit & Foliage

A vigorous, upright, deciduous shrub or small tree, 10–12 feet tall and 8–10 feet wide. Leaves are heart-shaped, dark green, and generally resistant to powdery mildew (a common lilac issue). Fall color is insignificant. The plant is long-lived and extremely cold-hardy.

Culture & Landscape Use

Hardy in USDA Zones 3–7. Requires **full sun** (6+ hours) for best bloom and **well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil**. Good air circulation reduces mildew. Prune immediately after flowering (lilacs bloom on old wood). Remove spent blooms to improve next year's show. 'Krasavitsa Moskvy' is a premier specimen, hedge, or cut-flower shrub—a living heirloom with a poetic name and world-class flowers.