Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla 'Superba'

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Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla 'Superba'

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Kemper Code: Q350

Common Name: lilac
Zone: 4 to 7
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Oleaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 5 to 7 feet
Spread: 10 to 14 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Color: Pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium

Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but best bloom quality and disease resistance occur in full sun. Prefers rich, moist, neutral soils. Foliage needs good air circulation. Prompt removal of faded flower panicles before seed set will increase bloom for the following year. Prune as needed immediately after flowering.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla (see F790), commonly known as littleleaf lilac, is a dense, compact, mounded, spreading, deciduous, small-leaved shrub that grows to 6-7’ tall and to 12’ wide. Single, sweetly fragrant, lilac-pink flowers arranged in dense clusters (panicles to 4” long) bloom in May (St. Louis area). Elliptic to ovate, medium green leaves (to 2” long) are slightly hairy below. In comparison to the subspecies, ‘Superba’ features (1) deep pink blooms, (2) a more profuse May bloom, (3) sporadic rebloom in summer and/or fall, (4) a slightly broader habit (to 14’ wide) and (5) better foliage resistance to powdery mildew. Synonymous with S. microphylla ‘Superba’.

Problems:

‘Superba’ is resistant to the common lilac diseases, especially powdery mildew. Leaf spot and blight are occasional problems. Stem borer, scale and leaf miner are occasional insect pests.

Uses:

Although spectacular when in full bloom, lilacs are otherwise somewhat ordinary shrubs. May be grown as specimens or massed. Also effective as privacy screens or hedges. Good for shrub borders or background for perennial borders. Foundations.