Meyer Lilac Syringa pubescens subsp. pubescens
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Syringa meyeri
- Phonetic Spelling
- si-RING-gah pew-BES-senz pew-BES-senz
- Description
-
Meyer lilac is a perennial shrub in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is native to northern China. The species and subspecies epithets are Latin for “hairy or pubescent.”
Meyer lilac has more mildew resistance than most lilacs and is easy to grow in urban conditions, preferring full sun although it will tolerate some shade. It performs best in moist, well-drained soils, with a neutral pH or slightly alkaline. Although tolerant of poor soil, it does not do well in heavy clay or a site that is not well-drained.
Meyer lilac is a spreading lilac, wider than it is tall, with reddish-purple buds opening to pale lilac, fragrant flowers. It blooms profusely in mid-season, typically mid-May, and flowers at an early age. It can be used in a shrub border or planted in groups to form a low hedge.
Diseases, Pest, and Other Problems: This shrub has no serious insect or disease problems. It has excellent resistance to powdery mildew. Possible diseases may include lilac blight and honey fungus. Insects that may be problematic include leaf-mining moth, thrips, and willow scale.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Palibin'
Reddish buds open to whitish pink flowers - 'Sugar Plum Fairy'
Rosy lilac flowers, compact shrub, reblooms sporadically in summer - 'Tinkerbell'
spicy fragrance and wine-red flower buds that open to pink
- 'Palibin'
- 'Palibin', 'Sugar Plum Fairy', 'Tinkerbell'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Palibin'
Reddish buds open to whitish pink flowers - 'Sugar Plum Fairy'
Rosy lilac flowers, compact shrub, reblooms sporadically in summer - 'Tinkerbell'
spicy fragrance and wine-red flower buds that open to pink
- 'Palibin'
- 'Palibin', 'Sugar Plum Fairy', 'Tinkerbell'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Syringa
- Species:
- pubescens
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern China and Korea, northern Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 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:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- dry brown capsule persists into winter
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant violet-purple flowers densely packed on a 4-inch panicle. Blooms in May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green leaves are 0.7 to 1.7 inches long with slightly wavy margins with nearly palmate venation. Non-showy fall color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Description:
- stems are gray-brown, shoots have prominent lenticels
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Heat
- Poor Soil
- Urban Conditions
