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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 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Purple Green
Summer Pink Purple Green
Autumn Green Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
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

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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