Overview

Syringa pekinensis 'Gimborn's China Pearl' is a bushy shrubs in the genus Syringa, part of the Oleaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 4.57–6.1 metres tall and 3.05–4.57 metres wide. Syringa pekinensis 'Gimborn's China Pearl' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and alkaline and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens, coastal and flower borders and beds.

About

Syringa pekinensis 'Gimborn's China Pearl' is a multi-stemmed tree lilac that reaches about 4.57–6.1 metres and 3.05–4.57 metres across. It is grown for erect panicles of yellowish-white flowers which appear in May to June. The blooms are followed by loose clusters of brown capsules. Plant it in full sun on neutral to alkaline, moist but well-drained soils.

About the genus

Syringa is a genus of 12 currently recognized species of flowering woody plants in the olive family called lilacs. They are native to woodland and scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia, and widely and commonly cultivated in temperate areas elsewhere.

Wikipedia contributors, "Syringa", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Syringa

In the garden

Syringa pekinensis 'Gimborn's China Pearl' is a cultivar of the Pekin or Chinese tree lilac, a species originating in northern China. It develops as an open, multi-stemmed specimen reaching roughly 4.57–6.1 metres tall with a spread of 3.05–4.57 metres, and is valued for its late spring display of yellowish-white panicles. Flowering occurs in May to June. Sit this lilac in full sun; it tolerates the main UK aspects (east, north, south, west) and performs on a range of soils from chalk and clay to loam and sand provided they are moist but well-drained. It prefers neutral to alkaline pH and is rated H6, which translates as very hardy across typical UK conditions. It will cope in exposed as well as sheltered positions. Use 'Gimborn's China Pearl' where a compact flowering tree or large shrub is required: it suits cottage and informal gardens, city courtyards, coastal locations and flower borders. Expect conspicuous panicles in late spring that gardeners can plan around in mixed borders and paved courtyards. After flowering the panicles mature to loose clusters of brown capsules that remain through summer.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Syringa

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained,Well-drained

Aspect

East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Syringa pekinensis 'Gimborn's China Pearl' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

4.57–6.1 metres

Spread

3.05–4.57 metres

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Syringa pekinensis 'Gimborn's China Pearl'

Propagation

Softwood cuttings,Layering in early summer,Grafting in winter

Pest resistance

Lilac leaf-mining moth,Willow scale,Thrips

Disease resistance

Lilac blight,Honey fungus,Phytophthora,Powdery mildews,Bacterial canker

Frequently asked questions

More in the Syringa genus

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  Syringa reticulataJapanese tree lilac