About

A compact, bushy shrub, to 1.5m tall, with spreading branches and small, mid-green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. In late spring, and often again late summer or early autumn, dense sprays of tubular, sweetly-scented flowers open deep pink from red buds, then fade to pale pink.

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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in well-drained, fertile, humus-rich alkaline to neutral soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings or layering in early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, willow scale and thrips
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, phytophthora, powdery mildews and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas Syringae)