Syringa vulgaris

A difficult species to use in a functional way. Best for seasonal color and fragrance in the border or as an occasional specimen. Deadheading can promote flowering and prevent alternate bearing. Will get leggy without pruning (prune on a 3-year cycle). Powdery mildew is an increasingly serious problem the further south this is planted in […]

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Syringa meyeri

Flowers by the time it reaches one foot tall, very floriferous. Flowers in spring before leaves are fully out. Powdery mildew resistant. Very low maintenance. Flowers can be damaged by a late spring freeze. Best to prune immediately after flowering to promote flower buds for the next year. […]

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Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’

Flowers by the time it reaches one foot tall, very floriferous. Flowers in spring before leaves are fully out. Powdery mildew resistant. Very low maintenance. Flowers can be damaged by a late spring freeze. Best to prune immediately after flowering to promote flower buds for the next year. […]

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Spiraea japonica ‘Dolchica’

‘Dolchica’ has deep pink flowers and interesting crinkled and cutleaf foliage. Flowers heavily in June (on new growth) and then continues intermittently through August. Annual pruning results in better foliage and flower effect. Tolerant of widely different soils and exposures, but tends to do best in full sun with adequate moisture and a pH of […]

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Spiraea japonica ‘Goldflame’

‘Goldflame’ is known for foliage that rotates between different golds, yellows, and bronzes throughout the seasons. In the spring, the foliage emerges bronze-red, followed by yellow-green foliage in the summer, and finally becoming golden yellow to orange in the fall. Flowers heavily in June (on new growth) and then continues intermittently through August. Annual pruning […]

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Styphnolobium japonicum

A widely adapted tree with good drought and pollution tolerance, and foliage texture comparable to Gleditsia, but a smaller tree and with more seasonal interest. Relatively trouble-free except for fungi that live in weaker twigs that cause twig blight and canker. Fungi invade most readily those twigs killed by cold or self-pruning. Seeds are poisonous. […]

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