About
A slow-growing, medium-sized shrub ultimately to about 2m, with small, dark green, oval leaves on slender branches and upright sprays of scented, tubular, dark purple-pink flowers in late spring and early summer.
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, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained, fertile, humus-rich, alkaline to neutral soil. Thrives in chalky ground and appreciates mulching when planted in full sun
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings or by layering in early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, thrips and willow scale
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, phytophthora, powdery mildews and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas Syringae)