Plant DetailShow Menu

Syringa x persica

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Syringa laciniata
Phonetic Spelling
si-RING-gah BY PER-si-ka
Description

Syringa x persica is a hybrid between S. afghanica and S. x laciniata in the Oleaceae family. It is a sterile hybrid that can be propagated by softwood cuttings. It is a low maintenance shrub that is smaller and more heat tolerant than S. vulgaris. In the spring it has enchanting pale violet flowers with an intoxicating fragrance that attracts butterflies. Effective as a specimen plant or in a group, it makes a great informal hedge or screen. Plant along property lines or in a cottage garden.

It performs best in organically rich, moist, neutral to slightly alkaline soils with good drainage and good air circulation. It should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil as it cannot tolerate soggy, wet conditions. It has upright, global, sightly arching branches.

Interestingly, President Thomas Jefferson wrote about his love of lilacs in his gardening book. They are also the state flower of New Hampshire. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include scales, borers, leaf miners, and caterpillars. Very susceptible to powdery mildew so prune to keep center open and air flowing. Additional disease problems include blights, leaf spots, wilt, and ringspot virus. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#arching#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#specimen#shrub#purple flowers#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#upright form#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#deer resistant#children's garden#playground plant#border planting#cutting garden#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#urban conditions tolerant#compact habit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#hedge#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#arching#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#specimen#shrub#purple flowers#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#upright form#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#deer resistant#children's garden#playground plant#border planting#cutting garden#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#urban conditions tolerant#compact habit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#hedge#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Syringa
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    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
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    2-3" panicles on previous season's growth.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Insignificant
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    1 - 2.5", half as wide, dark green leaves, occasionally pinnate or 3-lobed
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heat
    Urban Conditions
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems