Overview
Syringa reticulata is a bushy shrubs in the genus Syringa, part of the Oleaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Syringa reticulata 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. It is native to Amur, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Kuril Is., Manchuria and Primorye.
About
Syringa reticulata is a deciduous shrub with a well-branched, multi-stemmed habit that flowers in May to June. It favours full sun and tolerates a wide range of soils from sand to clay provided they are well drained or only seasonally moist. Rated H6 in the UK, it withstands cold winters and suits both exposed and sheltered sites. Cream to white flower panicles make it a noticeable late-spring feature in borders and courtyards.
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 reticulata originates from eastern Asia, with a natural range that includes parts of China, Japan, Korea and the Russian Far East. In cultivation it is treated as a shrub and its branching habit gives it a clear outline in the garden rather than a single-trunked tree form. The flowering period is May to June, when cream to white panicles appear above the foliage. Position the plant in full sun and choose soils that are neutral to alkaline; it tolerates chalk, clay, loam and sand so long as the site is well drained or at least moist but not waterlogged. It is rated H6 for UK hardiness, which corresponds to a very hardy plant able to withstand typical UK winter conditions. Syringa reticulata will grow in both exposed and sheltered aspects and will take east-, west-, north- or south-facing sites. In the garden it suits cottage and informal layouts, city and courtyard gardens, coastal situations and mixed flower borders or beds. Give it room for its multi-stemmed form to develop so the spring panicles can be seen from paths and seating areas. Its May-to-June flowering provides a defined late-spring display that reads well from a distance.
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 reticulata size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Amur, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Kuril Is., Manchuria, Primorye
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Syringa reticulata
- 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
Where is the best place to plant Syringa reticulata?
Syringa reticulata prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Syringa reticulata need?
Syringa reticulata is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It prefers alkaline and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Syringa reticulata hardy in the UK?
Syringa reticulata has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Syringa reticulata?
Softwood cuttings,Layering in early summer,Grafting in winter.
