Syringa vulgaris 'Marie Legraye'
Marie Legraye Lilac

Family:

Oleaceae (Olive Family) 44

Genus:

Syringa (Lilac Tree Lilac) 14

Plant Type:

Shrub 462

Growth Forms:

Upright 537

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 221

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 794

Flower Notes:

White (Extremely fragrant, white, 8" long flower panicles in May)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Summer foliage; poor fall color)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Beaked, dehiscent capsule; not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

8-15 feet

Ultimate Spread:

6-12 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Optimum soil is neutral or slightly alkaline

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves simple, ovate or broad-ovate, and 2-5" long with truncate to subcordate base. Large green and reddish-brown double terminal buds. Leaf scars are raised. Angled buds and stems. Stems have raised lenticels.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 392

Fragrant Flowers 174

Border 368

Specimen 598

Notable Texture 277

Additional Information

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 its hardiness zone. Grows better in colder climates.