Syringa josikaea (Hungarian Lilac)

Syringa josikaea (Hungarian Lilac) is a multi-stemmed, upright to arching, deciduous shrub with dark stems bearing opposite, broad-elliptic to elliptic-oblong, rich green leaves, 2-5 in. long (5-12 cm), paler underneath. In late spring to early summer, it boasts pink-mauve, slightly fragrant flowers in loose clusters, 4-8 in. long (10-20 cm). The rich green foliage is attractive in summer as a background to other plants.

• Grows up to 8-10 ft. tall (240-300 cm) and 8-12 ft. wide (240-360 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in light, alkaline to neutral, moist, well-drained soils. Thrives in chalky ground.
• Plant as a specimen for foundation plantings, mixed shrub borders, and cottage gardens.
• Keep an eye out for lilac leaf-mining moth, privet thrips, lilac blight, honey fungus, Phytophthora, and powdery mildew.
• Needs annual pruning to encourage strong, healthy shoots and improve flowering. Prune as it flowers on shoots grown the previous year.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer.
• Native to central and eastern Europe, in the Carpathian Mountains in Hungary, Romania, and western Ukraine..