Manchurian Lilac Syringa reticulata subsp. amurensis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Manchurian Lilac:
Previously known as:
- Syringa amurensis
- Syringa reticulata var. longifolia
- Syringa reticulata var. mandschurica
- Phonetic Spelling
- si-RING-gah reh-tick-yoo-LAY-tuh ah-mur-EN-sis
- Description
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The Amur lilac is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is native to the Russian Far East, northern China and the Korean peninsula. The subspecific epithet is Latin for “from Amur,” the region around the Amur River along China's northern border with Russia.
Although adaptable to soil pH, it prefers soil in a neutral range. Best flower production and disease resistance is achieved by planting it in full sun, with well-drained soil and good air circulation. It blooms in late spring to early summer.
Amur lilac can be grown either as a large shrub or a small tree. It has a glossy bark that peels on younger branches. It is highly similar to the typical form of the Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata), but the bark of the Japanese tree lilac is slightly more reddish and darker brown. The Amur lilac is also more rounded and broader than the Japanese tree lilac, which is larger and has a more tree-like habit.
Amur lilac is suitable for Asian, cutting, cottage, and butterfly and pollinator gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Amur lilac has no serious insect or disease problems. It tends to be resistant to powdery mildew, bacterial blight, scale insects, and borers.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Syringa
- Species:
- reticulata
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The bark, trunks, and branches are used to make an antiphlogistic drug and diuretic. The flowers are used in the making of perfumes.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Siberia to Korea, Manchuria, Northeast China
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
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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:
- loose clusters of brown capsules, blunt at apex, persist into winter
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Broadly ovate, elliptic-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate green leaves (to 2-4" long). Glabrous above. Large petiole (1-2cm), veins slightly sunk.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Lenticels
- Bark Description:
- Older bark exfoliates to the chestnut-brown inner bark. Prominently lenticellate.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Patio
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Compaction
- Dry Soil
- Urban Conditions
