Tree Styphnolobium japonicum [Japanese Pagodatree] 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. Difficult to train a central leader. More cold sensitive when young.
Tree Styrax japonicus [Japanese Snowbell] Relatively trouble-free. Can be susceptible to Ambrosia beetle and canker. Partial shade best in Zones 7 and 8 due to heat intolerance.
Shrub Syringa × chinensis [Chinese Lilac] Can become ratty in appearance, and so should be pruned properly on 3 year cycle. Problems with aphids, powdery mildew, scales, and caterpillars, although powdery mildew is worst problem.
Shrub Syringa meyeri [Meyer Lilac] 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.
Shrub Syringa meyeri 'Palibin' [Dwarf Meyer Lilac] 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.
Shrub Syringa pubescens ssp. patula [Manchurian Lilac] Flowers in spring before leaves are fully out. Powdery mildew resistant. Very low maintenance.
Shrub Syringa pubescens ssp. patula 'Miss Kim' [Miss Kim Manchurian Lilac] 'Miss Kim' is known for its prolific fragrant ice-blue flower panicles and more dense, compact habit. Powdery mildew resistant. Very low maintenance. Heat tolerant, so grows better in warmer climates than other lilacs. Also known as Syringa patula 'Miss Kim'.
Tree Syringa reticulata [Japanese Tree Lilac] A very hardy and showy tree. Attractive, cherry-like mahogany-colored bark, distinctly different from all other lilacs. Widely adapted to soils and environments. Cut to ground to rejuvenate completely. Mildew resistant. Subject to infestations of borers and scale insects, but these are not usually serious enough to discourage its use where some maintenance is available. Alternate year flowering on different parts of the tree can sometimes occur, a problem that can be assuaged by deadheading (use…
Tree Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' [Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac] The Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac is a very hardy and showy tree, great choice for a specimen tree. Attractive, cherry-like mahogany-colored bark, which is distinctly different from all other lilacs. Widely adapted to soils and environments, Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac can be a great choice for those difficult areas in the landscape. Cut to ground to rejuvenate completely. Some consider the beautiful creamy white flowers to be malodorous, like a privet.
Shrub/Tree Syringa sp. [Lilac] The Lilac genus, Syringa, is composed of over 20 species and numerous cultivars and variants of shrubs to small trees. The most well-known feature of lilacs is their showy, many times fragrant, flower panicles. Lilacs prefer cooler climates. Leggy plants can be rejuvenated by a hard pruning in the winter, with less intensive maintenance pruning after flowering. Can be affected by powdery mildew, leaf spot, borers, and blight.
