About
A deciduous shrub with a strongly arching habit to 3m, becoming wider than it is high. It has green leaves and pink-mauve flowers in summer, with a light scent.
About the genus
Syringa can be deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple, entire or rarely pinnate leaves and conical panicles of small, very fragrant, 4-lobed tubular flowers in late spring or early summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Clump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in good light, in moist but well-drained soil. It likes neutral to alkaline soil and thrives in chalky ground.
PruningPruning group 2 as it flowers on shoots grown the previous year
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, privet thrips; and also to pigeon damage
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, phytophthora, powdery mildews and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas Syringae)