Plant spotlight of the week: Japanese Tree Lilac
As the common lilac family completes its yearly bloom cycle in late May, the Japanese Tree Lilac is just preparing to shoot out its large and very fragrant creamy white blossoms. Growing to heights of 20 feet or more, these later blooming members of the lilac family do well in varied soils, and accept pruning well to guide them around roof lines, corners of houses, and other landscape features such as pergolas and arbors.
Commonly available in both clump and single stem form, the tree lilac provides a nice mid-size tree alternative to the ubiquitous flowering crabs and a profusion of flowers a few weeks after the other spring blooming ornamental trees.
Very hardy, but does not like poorly drained soil. Soon to be available in a gold variegated variety aptly named Golden Eclipse, which should be a nice complement to the green leaved standards.
Check out the many other varieties of trees listed on our Ornamental & Flowering Trees page.
