Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' (Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac)

Michael's Opinion

A very popular tree when in flower in late June or Early July, the 10 m tall trees are covered in very airy, light cream panicles, its flowers for several weeks with the entire tree covered in bloom. In seems pollution tolerant and is often used in urban environments; however it will never develop a large canopy because of its relatively small stature. It has a broadly obovate canopy and is used to great effect in alleys, lining paths and sidewalks. It has a somewhat unpleasant scent when in flower.

Botanical Information

FamilyOleaceae
GenusSyringa
Speciesreticulata
Cultivar'Ivory Silk'
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone3-7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone3
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height10 m
Spread5 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJune

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionRecommended for large gardens. Very attractive in mid summer. Excellent specimen, shrub or street tree.
ID CharacteristicMarked with prominent horizontal lenticels which is a good identification feature to separate it from other lilacs. The expanding bright green leaves in early spring is a lovely sight.
ShapeUpright, vase-shaped.
PropagationSeed dormancy is variable in Syringa reticulata but cold stratification for 30 to 90 days at 1-5°C is recommended. Ivory Silk is grafted on Syringa reticulata rootstock.
PestsBacterial blight, leaf spots, leaf blights, ring spot virus, powdery mildew, leaf roll necrosis, lilac borer, caterpillars, leopard moth borer, giant hornet, and lilac leaf miner.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Bark/Stem DescriptionCherry-like, reddish brown to brown and is marked with prominent horizontal lenticels.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSubglobose, sessile, with 4 pairs of scales, terminal bud is frequently absent and brown in colour.
Leaf DescriptionEntire, simple, opposite, broad-ovate to ovate and are 5-13 cm long.
Flower DescriptionFlowers are yellowish-white in dense 20-60 cm clusters from June to July.
Fruit DescriptionGlabrous, warty, dehiscent, 2 cm along and blunt at the apex.
Colour DescriptionFoliage is dark green and flowers are creamy white.
Texture DescriptionMedium in all seasons.

Photographs