Syringa × prestoniae 'Desdemona'
lilac 'Desdemona'
A vigorous, deciduous shrub up to around 3m high, with a bushy habit and ovate, slightly glossy green leaves. Produces large, pendent clusters of fragrant, tubular mauve coloured flowers in late spring and early summer
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Easy to grow in most well-drained, fertile, humus-rich alkaline to neutral soils. Thrives in chalky ground. Will tolerate some light shade but flowering is best in full sun. Mulch well in spring
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings or by layering in early summer, by grafting in winter or by chip budding in midsummer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Minimal pruning required, trim immediately after flowering if necessary (see pruning group 1)
Pests
May be susceptible to lilac leaf-mining moth, thrips and willow scale insects
Diseases
May be susceptible to lilac blight, honey fungus, phytophthora, powdery mildews and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas Syringae)
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