About

This deciduous upright shrub to 5m tall. It has green leaves and in spring - earlier than common Lilacs - it has masses of sweetly scented, pure white flowers.

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
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Clump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationEasy to grow in good light, in moist but well-drained soil. It likes neutral to alkaline soil and thrives in chalky ground.
PruningPruning group 1 or can tolerate hard pruning if needed
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, privet thrips; and also to pigeon damage
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, phytophthora, powdery mildews and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas Syringae)