About
A large, dense, deciduous shrub, to 4m tall and wide, with large, oval leaves. Flowers are held in loose, erect panicles, to 18cm long, and are dark purplish-red in bud opening to pale pinkish-lavender in 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, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in most well-drained, fertile, humus-rich alkaline to neutral soils. Thrives in chalky ground and appreciates mulching when planted in full sun
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings or layering in early summer. Grafting can be done in winter and budding in 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)