According to the North Carolina State University Extension Service, “the Japanese tree lilac has no serious insect or disease problems. It tends to be resistant to powdery mildew, bacterial blight, scale insects, and borers.”
Less common than Japanese Tree Lilacs are its Chinese cousins – cultivars derived from the species Syringa pekinensis. Native to Northern China, the species is very cold hardy and thrives in climates where winters are cold and summers are hot. Adaptability to urban growing conditions, small stature and an upright spreading vase shape have earned these tough little trees a place on our UtiliTrees™ list.
Syringa reticulata and S. pekinensis and their cultivars have garnered prestigious plant awards over the years: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant Award (1996), Society of Municipal Arborists’ Tree of the Year (1997) Cary Award presented by New England Botanical Garden (2000) Theodore Klein Plant Award presented by University of Kentucky (2000).
Ivory Silk® Japanese Tree Lilac
Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’
Frothy white summertime flower plumes come to mind when one mentions Ivory Silk® Japanese Tree Lilac. While its blooms take center stage in summer, this unique flowering tree demands a curtain call in autumn when its rich, golden-bronze leaves stage a command performance. Mature height and spread of this USDA Zone 4 tree are 20’ x 15.
Introduced by Sheridan Nurseries of Ontario, Canada, this excellent cultivar has withstood the test of time and become a popular landscape choice across a wide swath of North America.
Beijing Gold® Tree Lilac
Syringa pekinensis ‘Zhang Zhiming’
Sprays of yellow flowers borne in June bring a whole new color spectrum to the world of tree lilacs! This is a vigorous selection with upright spreading, arching branches. Selected for its creamy yellow flowers, it is quite different in appearance than the other cultivars, thanks to its long, slender, glossy green leaves. Fall color is yellow. Cinnamon-brown bark provides winter interest, especially on those grown as multi-stem trees. Height and spread of this USDA Zone 5 tree are approximately 20’ x 20’.
China Snow® Tree Lilac
Syringa pekinensis ‘Morton’
Large sprays of cream-white flowers borne in June are nearly upstaged by the remarkably beautiful bark. Coppery brown and punctuated by horizontally striped, tan lenticels, it peels in long, papery curls. Amber to orange-brown, it extends seasonal interest through the winter months. Small, fine-textured dark green leaves turn yellow in autumn. Height and spread of this USDA Zone 5 tree are approximately 20’ x 20’. An introduction of Chicagoland Grows®, it was selected from the collections of the Morton Arboretum. According to its description on the Plants Nouveau website, it originated from seed gathered in the Gansu Province of China. Collected for The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by plant explorer Joseph Rock in 1926, some were shared with the Morton Arboretum. One of the seeds planted in that same year grew up to be the parent of China Snow® Tree Lilac.
Great Wall® Tree Lilac
Syringa pekinensis ‘WFH2’
Summer flowers are fancy and fluffy, and the glossy green foliage is delightfully fresh, but the remarkable feature of this Peking Tree Lilac is its FORM! Upright branch structure, a strong central leader and compact growth habit contribute to a symmetrical, upright canopy that’s a perfect fit for street tree use. Per Dirr and Warren in The Tree Book, Great Wall® Tree Lilac is “the best choice for street use.”
Sparkling white flower clusters of late spring, clean, green foliage and handsome yellow fall foliage and shiny, cherry-like, exfoliating bark recommend it as an all-season ornamental that’s tough enough to merit inclusion on our UtiliTrees™ list.. Discovered and introduced by plantsman Bill Hendricks of Klyn Nurseries, Ohio, it is rated hardy through USDA Zone 3.
Gardeners! Please note that our nursery is strictly wholesale. To purchase these and other trees grown by our nursery, please use our Retailer Locator to find sources of JFS trees near you.
