| General Description | A deciduous, medium sized tree with incredible copper coloured bark which exfoliates as it matures. Produces clusters of creamy white flowers in early summer for added interest. Excellent specimen or street tree. Plant in areas with full sun and well drained soil. |
| ID Characteristic | Amber coloured exfoliating bark. Semi-glossy cordate green leaf in opposite arrangement. Yellow autumn colour. Creamy white coloured bloom. Green coloured fruit which turns a tan colour and persists into winter. |
| Shape | Upright, broadly rounded shape with a tendency to grow an even rounder crown as the tree matures. If placed in an area of greater shade can tend to have a more spread out, looser form. |
| Landscape | Requires areas of full sun and well drained soil, making it ideal for parks or as a specimen tree due to its eye-catching bark and blooms. While the straight species of this tree’s bark turns grey with age, China Snow® maintains and even improves on its exfoliating bark as it matures, making it ideal for planting in an area visible year round. Tolerant to acidic and alkaline soils, as well as road salt, China Snow® is well suited roadside plantings or an urban setting. |
| Propagation | As this plant does not produce genetically viable seed, propagation must take place through grafting, tissue culture, or softwood cuttings. Propagation of lilacs through cuttings can prove difficult, in part due to their inherit weakness to mildew and bacterial infection. Additionally, they can prove hard to root. As such, sanitization is vital to success, as is always maintaining the ideal moisture level. Dipping the cutting in growth hormone is highly recommended. Select a younger branch from healthy stock in early spring for optimal chances of success. |
| Cultivation | Similar to others of its genus, requires full sun and well drained soil to prosper. Able to tolerate partial shade, however this can disrupt form and quantity of blooms. Ideally, China Snow should receive good air circulation to help prevent diseases such as mildew from taking hold. This Cultivar displays resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew and bacterial blight, as well as lilac borers and scale insects. Fairly tolerant of acidic and alkaline soils, salt, and drought. As with most lilacs, should never be planted in a location with poor drainage or heavy shade. |
| Pests | As with others of its genus, suffers from lilac borers, as well as powdery mildew, particularly when given poor air circulation. Also falls prey to bacterial blight. Proven to be resistant to pests and diseases listed above. Generally pest and disease free, or simply unsightly infection such as with mildew. |
| Notable Specimens | A group of these trees can be found in Springbank Gardens located in London, Ontario. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Amber coloured bark which displays white lenticles and a smoother texture at a young age, and peels further as the stem matures. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Glabrous, semi globose buds, with flower buds turning from deep green to an orange/white colour. |
| Leaf Description | Semi-glossy, simple cordate leaves in opposite arrangement along the shoots, 5 - 10 cm in length. Green in the summer with a yellow autumn colour. |
| Flower Description | Flowers are creamy white in 15 - 25 cm clusters in late May through June. Florets single, 8 mm in diameter. Strong musky scent, not unlike that of privet. Attracts bees and butterflies. |
| Fruit Description | Glabrous, dehiscent, 2 cm long with a slightly rounded top. Begins green and turns tan as time passes. Can remain on the tree well into a mild winter. |
| Colour Description | Bark is an amber/copper colour with white lenticles. Leaves are green in the summer and turn yellow in the autumn. Blooms are a creamy white. Fruit begins green and turns a tan colour as it matures. |
| Texture Description | Medium. |