Description
Syringa – Lilac –
There are about 23, vigorous deciduous shrubs and small trees, within the olive family. There are over 1,500 named cultivars of S. vulgaris (common lilac). They are found naturally occurring in woodlands and scrubs, 2 from Southeastern Europe with the rest occurring in Northeastern Asia. They are grown for their often single or double petaled mid spring borne pyramidal or conical panicles of small, tubular, usually highly fragrant flowers, which may be white, pink, almost red to magenta, lilac (light purplish pink), or blue. They have opposite, smooth edged, lance shaped to rounded, usually ovate, rarely pinnate leaves and sometimes color well in fall.
Grow in a shrub border or as specimens in fertile, humus rich, well drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or light shade. They will tolerate sandy gravelly soil that is slightly alkaline. Resents heavy clay or deep shade. Mulch regularly. Dead head newly planted lilacs before fruit form.
Prone to powdery mildew, dieback, leafroll viruses, MLO (mycoplasma-like organisms), root knot, nematode, verticillium wilt, witches broom, bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, borers, scale insects and caterpillars.
S. x prestoniae – Nodding Lilac – Preston Lilac – This vigorous, upright shrub or small tree is a cross between S. reflexa and S. villosa and grows 12′ feet tall and wide. It produces oval, dark green leaves to 6″ long with slightly glaucous, sometime faintly downy undersides. In early summer, beats fragrant, white, pink, lavender-pink, lavender blue, violet, magenta, or deep purple flowers in large, erect to nodding panicles, 4-6″ long.
‘James MacFarlane’ – bears single, fragrant, pale pink flowers with an arching habit, and dull, hairy, mid green leaves
Zones 2-7
