Syringa reticulata
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Syringa reticulata subsp. reticulata
- Phonetic Spelling
- si-RING-ga re-tik-u-LA-ta
- Description
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Japanese tree lilac is a small flowering deciduous tree or large shrub in the Oleaceae or olive family that has an oval to rounded habit. They grow to a height of 25 to 30 feet tall and may be single or multi-stemmed. The bark is reddish brown, but the most distinctive feature is its horizontal lenticels. The leaves are dark green and have a drooping habit. The flowers bloom in June and are creamy-colored panicles that are scented and last only 2 weeks. The blooms are followed by clusters of green and then yellow capsules that can persist through winter.
The tree is native to Japan and is found growing on cliffs. The genus name, Syringa, is Greek and originates from the word "syrinx" which means "pipe." The word pipe references the hollow stems of the tree. The epithet, reticulata, means "netted veins" and refers to the plant's leaves.
Plant in full sun in organically rich well-drained acidic soils. It will tolerate heavy clay soils and urban conditions along with browsing by deer. This tree will tolerate partial shade; however, full sun is required for prolific flower production. Good air circulation is also recommended.
Its showy fragrant blooms attract hummingbirds, insect pollinators, and butterflies. The tree also provides shelter and habitat for wildlife.
The Japanese Lilac Tree would be a nice addition to the patio area to provide flowers in the late spring to early summer and shade for the summer. It is the most trouble-free lilac. It may also be considered as a street tree, large hedge, or an accent or specimen for a shrub border.
Seasons of Interest:
Bark: Winter Bloom: Late Spring to Early Summer Foliage: Summer Fruit: Summer to Winter
Quick ID Hints:
- the bark has prominent horizontal lenticels
- exfoliating, reddish-brown bark when young, and the bark becomes scaly and gray with age
- the leaves are dark green, simple, broad-ovate to ovate with sharp tips and a drooping habit
- the flowers are creamy-colored panicles measuring 6 to 12 inches long and bloom in June for 2 weeks
- the fruits are clusters of warty, dry, and green to yellow capsules that appear after the flowers and persist through the winter
- the buds have 4 pairs of scales and are brown and sessile
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Japanese Lilac Tree has no serious insect or disease problems. It tends to be resistant to powdery mildew, bacterial blight, scale insects, and borers.
VIDEO created by Grant L. Thompson for “Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Cameo Jewel'
yellow cream splashed variegated foliage - 'Chantilly Lace'
creamy-yellow variegated leaves - 'Ivory Silk'
upright, oval habit, and compact - 'Summer Snow'
rounded habit, compact with large flower clusters
- 'Cameo Jewel'
- 'Cameo Jewel', 'Chantilly Lace', 'Ivory Silk', 'Summer Snow'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Cameo Jewel'
yellow cream splashed variegated foliage - 'Chantilly Lace'
creamy-yellow variegated leaves - 'Ivory Silk'
upright, oval habit, and compact - 'Summer Snow'
rounded habit, compact with large flower clusters
- 'Cameo Jewel'
- 'Cameo Jewel', 'Chantilly Lace', 'Ivory Silk', 'Summer Snow'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Syringa
- Species:
- reticulata
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds, insect pollinators, and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Shade
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Powdery mildew, borers, scale
- Dimensions:
- Height: 25 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The flower blooms are followed by clusters of warty, dry, oblong, or ovoid capsules. They measure about 0.75 inches long and are initially green and then turn yellow. The capsules can persist through the winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Creamy white fragrant flowers appear on upright panicles that measure 6 to 12 inches long. They bloom in June for about 2 weeks. The flowers have a musky scent.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are dark green, simple, pubescent or smooth, and broad-ovate to ovate with sharp tips. The undersides of the leaf are grayish green. They measure 2 to 5.5 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide and have an arching or drooping habit. The petiole is 1/2 to 1-inch in length. The leaves have no significant fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Lenticels
- Scaly
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth, reddish brown, and exfoliating with horizontal lenticels. As the tree ages, the bark becomes gray and scaly.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Pith (Split Longitudinally):
- Spongy
- Stem Description:
- The stems are stout, hollowed-out, and shiny brown.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer