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Syringa reticulata subsp. reticulata 'Ivory Silk' is often confused with:
Prunus serotina Form
Native alternative(s) for Syringa reticulata subsp. reticulata 'Ivory Silk':
Amelanchier arborea Form in the spring, flowers appear before the leaves.
Cornus alternifolia Cornus alternifolia
Crataegus aestivalis Flowers
Hamamelis virginiana Leaves
Prunus serotina Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chilopsis linearis Chilopsis linearis
Edgeworthia chrysantha leaves and flowers
Sinojackia rehderiana Flower Close-up Spring (Craven County, NC)
Syringa reticulata subsp. reticulata 'Ivory Silk' has some common insect problems:
Pests of Lilac
Lilac Borer \ Ash Clearwing Borer

Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa reticulata subsp. reticulata 'Ivory Silk'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Japanese Tree Lilac:

Phonetic Spelling
si-RING-gah reh-tick-yoo-LAY-tuh
Description

'Ivory Silk' is just one of the many cultivars of Syringa reticulata.  The cultivars vary in looks and may have very different traits. The award-winning Japanese Tree Lilac is a very large shrub or small tree, reaching a height of about 20 to 30 feet with a 15-foot-spread, with huge clusters of creamy white flowers in early summer. Its fragrance is more suggestive of privet than of traditional spring-blooming Syringa vulgaris.  With spreading branches and an oval to rounded crown, It has a Christmas tree shape, wider at the base and narrower at the top.   Although adaptable to soil pH, it prefers soil in a neutral range, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.   It can be planted as a specimen, street tree, in small groups, or in a border.

It is highly resistant to mildew when planted in full sun and to lilac borer when watered during dry spells.

Pruning can be accomplished immediately after flowering.  Regular annual pruning will rejuvenate its growth and encourage blooming and will also help maintain a more shrubby habit.  

Somewhat drought tolerant as it ages, young trees should be watered weekly to help to establish a strong root system.  Mulching around the base, out to the drip line will help to retain the water provided.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Lilac borers are occasional pests.  Although typically free of serious diseases, powdery mildew can occur in shady areas.  Has some susceptible to Verticillium wilt, bacterial blight, leaf blotch and fungi.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#small tree#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#deciduous shrub#salt tolerant#winter interest#flowering tree#disease resistant#salt spray tolerant#large shrub#deer resistant#summer interest#cutting garden#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#deciduous tree#sensory garden#urban conditions tolerant#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#winter garden#bee friendly#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#broadleaf#insect resistant#butterfly garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#small tree#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#deciduous shrub#salt tolerant#winter interest#flowering tree#disease resistant#salt spray tolerant#large shrub#deer resistant#summer interest#cutting garden#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#deciduous tree#sensory garden#urban conditions tolerant#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#winter garden#bee friendly#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#broadleaf#insect resistant#butterfly garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Syringa
    Species:
    reticulata
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Landscape planting
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees, butterflies, songbirds, and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Oval
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Creamy-white clusters of fragrant, tiny flowers adorn this specimen in the summer. The clusters range from 6 to 12 inches long.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Lenticels
    Bark Description:
    The reddish-brown exfoliating bark added to the beauty of this planting.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Typically grown with a single trunk, it can also be multi-trunked.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Patio
    Recreational Play Area
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Foundation Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Salt
    Urban Conditions