Showy cloud-like clusters of fragrant ivory blossoms cover this hardy and highly variable Chinese native long after most other lilacs have bloomed.
Whether grown as a rounded multi-stemmed large shrub or as a single-trunked small tree, it offers ornamental interest at all seasons, thanks to its glossy peeling golden-brown bark. The large paired clusters of tiny creamy-white flowers develop at the branch tips in late spring or early summer. They are privet-scented: sweet but with an undertone of cut grass or leaf clippings. The narrowly oval, dark green, deciduous leaves usually do not color in fall.
Grow Peking lilac in ample sun to ensure dense sturdy growth and copious bloom. It does not excel in hot summers. It is best in fertile, non-alkaline, well-drained soil, but adapts to many situations. Although a beautiful large shrub for the back of a border or for an informal hedge or screen, it is most regal trained as a round-crowned tree. (source: Learn2Grow.com)
Genus - Syringa
Species - Pekinensis
Common name - Peking Lilac
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 7
Height - 15'-30' / 4.6m - 9.1
Spread - 10'-20' / 3.0m - 6.1
Plant type - Small Tree
Vegetation type - Deciduous ornamental
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Loam, sand, well drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Germination rate - 84%
Bloom season - Late Spring, Early Summer
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White, Light Yellow
Useful Info | |
Germination | Seed will benefit from a short cold moist stratification (30-60 days) to increase speed, uniformity and % of germination. Germination will improve with alternating temperatures of approx. 8 hours @ 86 deg. F and 16 hours @ 68 deg. Many growers use a fungicide durring stratification. Other sterilization methods you can use include a 12 hour hydrogen-peroxide soak; surface sterilization with a 1:10 bleach:water mix, soaking the seed for 8 minutes then thoroughly washing off the bleach with warm water; a short diluted iodine soak. 1. Scarification: Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours 2. Stratification: cold stratify for 30-60 days 3. Germination: sow seed 1/4 deep, keep moist, mulch the seed bed, cover seedbed with some shade, can be sown outdoors in the fall for spring germination. Stratified syringa seeds normally germinates in 14-60 days. Normally will only germinate with light, GA-3 may promote germination - even in the dark. |