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Oleaceae
Japanese Tree Lilac
Syringa reticulata
Dignified celebration and midsummer elegance.
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Genus
- Syringa
- Native to
- Japan, northern China, Korea
- Bloom season
- Early Summer
- Type
- deciduous small tree
- Height
- 6–10 m
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, adaptable
- Water
- medium
- Hardiness
- 3–7
- Lifespan
- 40–50 years
Did you know
- Unlike common lilacs, the Japanese tree lilac blooms in early summer, extending the lilac season by several weeks.
- Its huge flower panicles can reach 30 cm long, dwarfing those of shrub lilacs.
- The cherry-like bark with horizontal lenticels is often compared to birch bark and adds winter interest.
- It is extremely cold-hardy, thriving in climates too harsh for most ornamental trees, down to USDA Zone 3.
- The flowers have a honeylike fragrance that some people love and others find overpowering — it is distinctly different from the sweet scent of common lilac.
Color meanings
Cream
gracious hospitality
White
summer's bright promise