If you love lilacs and wish their beauty and fragrance could last into early summer, we have some good news. That gorgeous, creamy-white flowering tree you’ve seen around town lately is the Japanese tree lilac. It’s a close relative to our familiar lilac shrub – and it blooms in June! Here, we’ll introduce you to this versatile flowering beauty and fill you in on what makes it such a great addition to your landscape.
A Little Introduction
As the name implies, Japanese tree lilac is native to Japan. It’s an ornamental tree that’s cultivated as a small- to medium-sized tree or large shrub, generally fifteen to twenty feet tall and about twenty feet wide. The leaves are pointed ovals, dark green, and five to six inches long. Japanese tree lilac is a member of the olive family and shares the genus Syringa with our other lilacs that bloom earlier in the spring.
Tons of Blooms
The Japanese tree lilac grabs attention in early June after most flowering trees have finished for the year. Dense clusters of creamy-white blooms nearly cover the canopy and fill the air with fragrance. Hummingbirds and butterflies love them too. Once the blooms have gone, clusters of tawny capsules stick around, providing interesting texture for the winter landscape. And another bonus is the tree’s attractive reddish bark.
An Easy-Care Option
All Japanese tree lilac needs to thrive is a spot in full sun, average water, and good air circulation. It’s tolerant of our clay soils, and it’s not bothered by any major diseases or insect pests. If you’d like, you can manage the size and remove seed heads with a little pruning right after blooming has finished, but you don’t have to either.
Versatility for the Landscape
Japanese tree lilac can be planted and maintained in different forms giving it a variety of uses in the landscape. In its single-stem tree form, it can stand as a specimen tree in the yard or along the street. Multi-stemmed shrub forms make beautiful hedges and screens. Either can be used as a beautiful accent near the house or next to a deck or patio too.
It’s Not Too Late for Lilacs
If you’re looking for an eye-catching ornamental tree that keeps the blooms coming through June, we think you’ll love Japanese tree lilac. Just stop by the Nursery Yard – we’re excited to show you this beautiful tree and help you find one for your landscape.
