Lilac tree Syringa reticulata subsp. reticulata 'Ivory Silk'
Other Common Name(s):
- 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:




- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
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