Plant DetailShow Menu

Early Lilac Syringa oblata

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Syringa affinis
  • Syringa chinensis
  • Syringa giraldii
Phonetic Spelling
si-RING-gah ob-LAH-tuh
Description

Early Lilac is a flowering tree in the olive family.  It is hardy, preferring hot summers and cold winters.  Flower buds are susceptible to frost injury in early spring. Good air circulation is needed. This is best planted near a patio or walkway where the fragrance can be enjoyed.

Syringa oblata grows best in moist, fertile, well-drained soils where the pH hovers between slightly acidic and slightly alkaline.

Removing the spent blooms before they set seed will give you more blooms the next year.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Powdery mildew can be an issue on the foliage in late summer.  Leaf spot may also appear.  Aphids, caterpillars, borers, and scale are insects that may damage this plant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#hardy#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#shrub#easy to grow#purple flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#flowering tree#well-drained soil#spreading#deer resistant#ornamentals#border planting#cutting garden#pollinator plant#vase-shaped#multitrunked#walkway planting#urban conditions tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#perennial#patio#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#hardy#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#shrub#easy to grow#purple flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#flowering tree#well-drained soil#spreading#deer resistant#ornamentals#border planting#cutting garden#pollinator plant#vase-shaped#multitrunked#walkway planting#urban conditions tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#perennial#patio#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Syringa
    Species:
    oblata
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Harvested from the wild as a source of an essential oil.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Distribution:
    Northern China , northwest Korea, and eastern Russia
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-trunked
    Oval
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    2-7" panicle of lilac-purple flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Reniform
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2-4" dark bluish-green leaves, acuminate tips, and cordate bases. New growth is bronze-red. Reddish to reddish-purple fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi trunked.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Recreational Play Area
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Urban Conditions