Lilac Japanese Tree, Ivory Silk Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' Height: 25 feet Spread: 15 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 3a Description: A first rate accent tree adorned with frothy upright panicles of creamy white flowers in early summer; interesting steel-gray bark and a dense, upright habit, an ideal choice for small home landscapes; needs full sun and well-drained soil Ornamental Features Lilac Japanese Tree, Ivory Silk features showy plumes of fragrant creamy white flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. The smooth dark red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes Lilac Japanese Tree, Ivory Silk is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics. Lilac Japanese Tree, Ivory Silk is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Lilac Japanese Tree, Ivory Silk will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. To help this plant achive its best flowering performance, periodically apply a flower-boosting fertilizer from early spring through into the active growing season. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for alkaline soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. Special Attributes Prune within 2 weeks after blooming is done, so you will get flowers next year. Lilacs are not classified as toxic to people or pets.