Syringa reticulata subsp. reticulata

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese tree lilac

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Synonyms

Syringa amurensis var. japonica, Syringa japonica

Trees Shrubs

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Botanical Details

Family
Oleaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
Genus
Syringa can be deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple, entire or rarely pinnate leaves and conical panicles of small, very fragrant, 4-lobed tubular flowers in late spring or early summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in good light, in moist but well-drained soil. It likes neutral to alkaline soil and thrives in chalky ground.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

pruning group 1 or can tolerate hard pruning if needed

Pests

May be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, privet Thrips; and also to pigeon damage