About
A vigorous deciduous shrub or small tree, up to around 5m high, with an upright to spreading habit, and broadly oval green leaves with long, pointed tips. Upright clusters of aromatic white flowers are produced 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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationThrives in well-drained, fertile, humus-rich alkaline to neutral soils. Will tolerate some light shade but flowering is best in full sun. Mulch well in spring
PruningMinimal pruning required, trim immediately after flowering if necessary (see pruning group 1)
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings or by layering in early summer, by grafting in winter or by chip budding in midsummer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, thrips and willow scale insects
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, phytophthora, powdery mildews and bacterial canker