With building lots growing smaller and houses shrinking closer to ground level every day, it’s time the Japanese lilac tree (Syringa amurensis japonica) came into its own.
This little-known member of the lilac family has everything to recommend it to suburban homeowners—outstanding flowers, medium height, and rapid growth.
Blooming in Late June or Early July
While most flowering trees and shrubs are finished, the lilac tree’s large feathery panicles of white blossoms are striking indeed. The plumes resemble regular lilac but lack its rich fragrance. However, I do not find the tree lilac scent unpleasant.
I have used its flowers in arrangements for the house without a murmur from any of the delicate noses in my family.
Japanese Lilac Tree Size
One of the greatest boons to the small lot owner is the size of the tree. It grows no taller than 25’ to 30’ feet. However, Japanese lilacs tend to fork quite low, so it is graceful as a young tree.
The bark is shiny black, much like the cherry. Its rapid growth helps lend a finished look to new home grounds in a surprisingly short time and for little money.
Japanese Lilac Tree in Early Fall
We acquired our tree in early fall, dug the planting hole, and filled it with plenty of compost and peat moss since this lilac likes rich soil. Then, early in the spring, we give it good feeding and, except for that, little care.
Pruning is minor—we trim out any low sucker growth and remove all dead flower clusters as you would on shrub lilacs. So far, the tree has proved resistant to insects and disease.
Notable Growth on Lilac Tree
In the four years we have had it, the tree has made notable growth. Next year we will need a long-handled pruner for dead blooms.
Although its degree of hardiness is unknown to us, our tree lived through one winter of unusual severity and early spring marked by extreme cold snaps. It failed to bloom, but its growth rate was not disturbed.
As far as we are concerned, the lilac tree has more than earned the right to join the dogwoods, hawthorns, and flowering crabs on the list of ideal deciduous trees for today’s tastes.
44659 by Bebe Miles