Syringa × josiflexa 'Agnes Smith'

RHS Plant Profile

lilac 'Agnes Smith'

John Fielding

Synonyms

Syringa × prestoniae 'Agnes Smith', Syringa × prestoniae [Miss USA]

Shrubs

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A compact, deciduous shrub, with mid-green leaves. Clusters of small pure white highly scented flowers are produced in the spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Clay, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Clay Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Oleaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus rich, well drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. mulch regularly. Dead head newly planted lilacs before fruit forms. See lilac or small-flowered lilacs for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by soft wood cuttings or layering in early summer. Graft in winter or bud in midsummer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

pruning group 1, little or no pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible leaf miners, thrips and willow scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, Phytophthora, Powdery mildews and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas Syringae)