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Syringa pubescens ssp. microphylla

Image of Syringa pubescens ssp. microphylla

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Oleaceae

Botanical Name

Syringa pubescens ssp. microphylla

Plant Common Name

General Description

A highly variable lilac from slopes, woodlands, and river verges in China and Korea, Syringa pubscens is grown for its showy clusters of fragrant blooms. Its subspecies microphylla bears lilac-pink flowers in spring and again in summer.

Pairs of small, downy, oval leaves line the upright to arching branches of this twiggy, rounded, medium-sized shrub. The mid-green to grayish-green leaves are paler underneath. Foliage may turn red tints in fall. Steeple-shaped clusters of tubular flowers appear in abundance in mid-spring, and in lesser numbers in midsummer. The cultivar 'Superba' flowers sporadically until frost. Hummingbirds and butterflies visit the blooms. Grow this hardy and adaptable shrub in full to partial sun and well-drained mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soil. It requires winter chill to flower abundantly. Monitor for mildew, especially in humid droughty summers. Use this lilac in mixed borders, cottage gardens, or informal hedges and screens. Enjoy the cut flowers indoor in a vase.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    6'-9' / 1.8m - 2.7m

  • Width

    6'-9' / 1.8m - 2.7m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Summer, Fall

  • Native To

    China

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink, Lavender

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Gray Green

  • Bark Color

    Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No