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Syringa villosa

late lilac

An upright deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 3m. It has large green leaves and large, long flowers in early summer - after the common Lilacs. The showy flowers are light purple-pink and highly fragrant

Synonyms
Syringa bretschneideri

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Oleaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming
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

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N China

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in good light, in moist but well-drained soil. It is not as tolerant of dry soil as common Lilacs. Early flower buds may get damaged by a late frost.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Pruning group 2 as it flowers on the previous year' growth

Pests

May be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, privet thrips; and also to pigeon damage

Diseases

May be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, phytophthora, powdery mildews and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas Syringae)

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