Szechuan Lilac

A hybrid lilac with a lovely scent, originally from the Chinese province of Szechuan, Syringa x diversifolia is a medium-sized deciduous shrub with a broad and rather open habit. The slightly downy, rather long leaves are ovoid, supple and a bright green. This shrub blooms rather earlier than the common lilac, with so many spires of white, sometimes very pale lilac, very scented flowers that the stems sometimes bend under the weight. Szechuan lilac does not need much pruning, and is a fairly low maintenance shrub.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any fertile, well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: Mid-spring in particular
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: up to 6 (1.8m) Spread: 6 (1.8m)