Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

12-25', 25-40'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Ranch, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Multi-trunk Tree, Showy Flowers, Silhouette, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Hedge, Screen, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Butterflies

Japanese tree lilac is a tough plant grown as either a large shrub or small tree. In tree form, it typically grows to 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide with an oval-rounded crown; as a multi-stemmed shrub, figure on 15 to 20 feet tall and wide. Its has showy, fragrant, creamy white flowers that bloom in upright, 12-inch long panicles in late spring to early summer (later than most other lilac species). Some gardeners dislike the privet-like smell of the flowers. Flowers give way to loose clusters of brown capsules that persist into winter. Reddish-brown peeling bark is attractive on younger branches, gradually turning gray with age. Sharply tipped, lanceolate to ovate, dark green leaves; no fall color.

Grow in well drained soil and full sun; will tolerate part shade but will bloom less profusely. Prefers loamy soils. As with other lilacs, if pruning is necessary, do so immediately after flowering.