Lilacs at the Arnold Arboretum

Lilacs were among the first 1. Syringa vulgaris ‘St. Margaret’ 5. Syringa x chinensis ‘Lilac Sunday’ 9. Syringa vulgaris ‘Krasavitsa Moskvy’ cultivated plants grown at the ‘St. Margaret’ was introduced in 1957 This 1997 introduction by the Arnold Introduced by Russian hybridizer Leonid by Mary E. Blacklock in association with Arboretum was grown by plant Kolesnikov in 1947, the cultivar name Arnold Arboretum. On Bussey Rowancroft Gardens of Ontario, Canada. propagator Jack Alexander from seed translates as “Beauty of Moscow.” Today Hill, look for remnants of a lilac The shrub’s blooms are double white, and supplied by the Beijing Botanical Garden. this tall, upright cultivar is quite popular hedge planted in the mid-19th the plant is considered to be one of the This plant produces abundant, pale and widely available. Attractive buds are century by Arboretum benefactor, finest available in this color category. purple, fragrant flowers that are borne in pink with an opalescent sheen, opening to clusters at the tips and along the sides of double, white, fragrant flowers. Its foliage Benjamin Bussey. The oldest lilac 2. Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ its branches. is generally resistant to powdery mildew. on record in this collection is a Although native to China, this species 6. Syringa x hyacinthiflora Syringa reticulata (Japanese tree is known as dwarf Korean lilac. The 10. Syringa ‘Bailbelle’ (Tinkerbelle) diminutive size, small flowers, and ‘Blanche Sweet’ This interspecific hybrid was introduced lilac) from 1876. rounded habit give this cultivar a dainty Introduced by Father John Fiala in 1981, by Bailey Nursery in 1999 as part of the appearance, however the plant is robust ‘Blanche Sweet’ has a single, pale blue Fairytale® Series. A small-leaved, slow- The Arnold Arboretum’s lilac and grows with vigor. Flowers are flower that is quite fragrant. The shrub growing shrub, it will reach a height and collection has over 375 plants prolific, fragrant, and pale pink to light reaches about 8 feet in height at maturity, spread of about 5-6 feet. Blossoms start lavender. Not your typical lilac, this plant and its foliage is resistant to powdery out as wine-red buds and develop into of about 175 different kinds. could be ideal for a small garden and mildew. This cultivar was named for the small, distinctive, single pink flowers with Many are cultivars, or cultivated does not require much pruning. silent film actress, Blanche Sweet. a spicy fragrance. varieties, selected for horticultural 3. Syringa reticulata 7. Syringa ‘MORjos 060F’ (Josee) 11. Syringa vulgaris merits like flower size and color. The Japanese tree lilac, Syringa reticulata, This cultivar produces abundant, single, ‘President Lincoln’ Others are the parents of many is a small tree with large clusters of ivory- lilac to pinkish flowers in the spring. This cultivar was introduced in 1916 by of today’s hybrids. Lilacs are in colored blossoms. One of the last lilacs Often praised for blooming throughout John Dunbar (1859-1927), assistant the summer, this cultivar’s sporadic superintendent of parks and founder the olive family; other relatives to bloom, the Japanese tree lilac flowers two weeks after the common lilac, Syringa late-season blooms never equal its of the Highland Park lilac collection in growing on Bussey Hill include ash vulgaris. This specimen is the oldest lilac profuse spring landscape display, but do Rochester, NY. ‘President Lincoln’ has a trees and forsythia. in our collection and was started from offer sufficient flowers to cut for floral single medium blue flower, which is quite seed brought from Japan in 1876. arrangements. fragrant. The buds are purplish-black when tightly closed. Although not a native plant, lilacs 8. Syringa vulgaris ‘Hulda’ 4. Syringa oblata var. dilatata ‘Cheyenne’ 12. Syringa vulgaris have been grown in North America The species is native to Korea and This common lilac cultivar was ‘Frederick Law Olmsted’ nearby regions of China; ‘Cheyenne’ introduced in Washington State in 1929, since colonial times. Today, they Introduced in 1987, ‘Frederick Law was introduced by the USDA from seeds but was not readily available for over half enrich our landscape with color Olmsted’ is named for America’s first collected in China. In color and fragrance, a century. Recently rediscovered, this landscape architect and the co-designer of and fragrance for as long as five the abundant blooms embody the ideal spectacular plant produces single, purple the Arnold Arboretum. A vigorous grower, weeks each spring. Thousands lilac. This species flowers as much as a to dark purple flowers and displays the shrub can reach 8 feet in height week or more before the common lilac. handsome foliage throughout season, gather at the Arboretum every yet remains relatively compact, with a The plant offers fall interest as well, when with almost no powdery mildew. May for Lilac Sunday, to enjoy this rounded habit. The abundant single white some leaves turn a lovely shade of maroon. popular plant. flowers release a notable fragrance. h t

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n e d in LARZ ANDERSON 13. Syringa vulgaris ‘SarahL Sands’ 15. Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Asessippi’ 17. Syringa protolaciniata ‘Kabul’ 19. Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Nokomis’ This fragrant beauty displays single, dark ‘Asessippi’, introduced in 1932, was Known as the cut-leaf or fern-leaf lilac This hardy cultivar was introduced by BONSAI COLLECTION purple florets. The plant habit tends to one of the first hybrids released by because of its unusual, finely cut leaves, F.L. Skinner in 1934. Nokomis was the be upright with a height of less than 12 F.L. Skinner. This early flowering lilac S. protolaciniata, commonly offered as S. grandmother of Hiawatha, the Native feet. Truly one of the best of the dark produces abundant blooms uniformly laciniata or S. afghanica, will develop into American subject of a famous Longfellow purples, it was introduced in 1943 by over the entire plant, even on the lower a rounded shrub with tall, violet flowers poem. The cultivar ‘Nokomis’ has fragrant, Theodore Havemeyer, lilac hybridizer branches. The fragrant flowers are a that bloom mid-season. ‘Kabul,’ named single, lilac-colored flowers that bloom from Long Island, NY. deep lilac color. Its attractive, rounded by P.S. Green for the city of Kabul, slightly before the common lilac. The habit and strong disease resistance make Afghanistan, spreads as wide as it grows shrub has a dense, mounding habit and 14. Syringa vulgaris ‘Atheline Wilbur’ ‘Asessippi’ a wonderful choice of lilac. tall (5–6 feet), making it an interesting reaches 10-12 feet in height and width. Dana Greenhouses TheL fragrantEVENTRITT double flowers of ‘Atheline informal hedge. Wilbur’ make this cultivar a favorite of 16. Syringa ‘Purple Haze’ Snap this QR Code to ‘Purple Haze’ was introduced in 2005 by 18. Syringa pinnatifolia those who know lilacs. Hybridized by use Arboretum Explorer (No Public Access) SFatherHRUB John Fiala, the & breeder V ofINE some of Arnold Arboretum plant propagator Jack This Chinese native was first discovered our better known lilacs, ‘Atheline Wilbur’ Alexander. The specimen on the tour is by plant explorer Ernest Henry Wilson FOREST HILLS is strikingG in ARDENits color display, with bold the original plant of this cultivar, created in the mountains of Sichuan province darker unopened buds and lighter open by crossing Syringa oblata and Syringa in 1904. This plant blooms early in flowers appearing at the same time. The protolaciniata. As a sterile hybrid, this the season, producing small panicles GATE shades of color vary from deep rosy- plant does not need to be dead-headed of white flowers. Unique among lilacs, lavender to pale orchid tones. to encourage next year’s blossoms. this species has pinnately compound ‘Purple Haze’ is a large shrub bearing leaves, meaning that each leaf is actually fragrant, pale purple flowers. composed of many small leaflets. Navigate the landscape, search for plants, upload your own photos via flickr, all from your smartphone!

To Leventritt Shrub & Vine Garden Bonsai Collection N To Hunnewell Visitor Center 19 18 BRADLEY 17 15 Faxon ROSACEOUS 16 Pond COLLECTION 14 13 12 M B ea u do ss w Dawson Lilac Collection 11 ey R H o Pond il a l R d oa d Rehder 10 Pond 9 8 7 6 5 To Forest Hills 4 3 1 125 Arborway 2

Boston, MA 02130-3500 h t a 617-384-5209 h P Beec

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