Syringa
SYRINGA CHINENSIS (_syns. S. dubia_ and _S. rothomagensis_).--Rouen, or
Chinese Lilac. A plant of small growth, with narrow leaves, and
reddish-violet flowers. It is said to have been raised by M. Varin, of
the Botanic Garden, Rouen, as a hybrid between S. vulgaris and S.
persica, 1795.
S. EMODI.--Himalayas, 1840. This is a desirable species, that forms a
stout bush or small tree, with oblong, reticulatel
-veined leaves, and
erect, dense panicles of white flowers, that are sometimes lilac tinged.
The flowers are strongly scented, and borne in great profusion late in
the season. There is a variegated form, S. Emodi variegata, and another
named S. Emodi villosa, both good varieties.
S. JAPONICA (_syns S. amurensis_ and _Ligustrina amurensis_).--Japan.
This is of recent introduction, and is a decided acquisition, producing
in summer large and dense clusters of creamy-white flowers. It is a very
desirable species, and though coming from Japan seems to be perfectly
hardy.
S. JOSIKAEA, Josika's Lilac, is of Hungarian origin (1835), and is so
totally different from the others as to be well worthy of special
attention. It rarely exceeds 6 feet in height, with dark-green, wrinkled
leaves, and erect spikes of pale mauve flowers.
S. PERSICA (Persian Lilac).--Persia, 1640. This is a distinct
small-growing species, with slender, straight branches, and lilac or
white flowers produced in small clusters. The form bearing white flowers
is named S. persica alba; and there is one with neatly divided foliage
called S. persica laciniata.
S. VULGARIS.--Common Lilac, or Pipe Tree. Persia and Hungary, 1597. This
is one of the commonest and most highly praised of English garden
shrubs, and one that has given rise, either by natural variation or by
crossing with other species, to a great number of superior forms. The
following include the best and most ornamental of the numerous
varieties:--alba, pure white flowers; alba-grandiflora, very large
clusters of white flowers; alba-magna, and alba virginalis, both good
white-flowering forms; Dr. Lindley, large clusters of reddish-lilac
flowers; Charles X., purplish-lilac flowers, but white when forced;
Souvenir De Ludwig Spath, with massive clusters of richly coloured
flowers; Glorie de Moulins, Marie Legrange, Noisetteana, Duchesse de
Nemours, and Vallettiana, all beautiful flowering forms that are well
worthy of cultivation, and that are of the simplest growth.
The double-flowered varieties, for which we are much indebted to M.
Victor Lemoine, of Nancy, are fast gaining favour with cultivators in
this country, and rightly, too, for they include several very handsome,
full flowered forms. The following are best known:--
S. vulgaris Alphonse Lavallee, with full double red flowers, changing
to mauve.
" Emile Lemoine, mauve-pink, suffused with white; very
handsome.
" La Tour d'Auvergne, mauve shaded with rose. A beautiful
and very dark coloured form.
" Lemoinei, nearly resembling our common species, but with
full double flowers.
" Leon Simon, light pink, mauve shaded.
" Madame Lemoine, the finest form, bearing very large pure
white double flowers.
" Michael Buchner, rosy lilac.
" VirginitE, whitish pink, nearly white when fully expanded.
President Grevy is one of the same beautiful group. The blooms are
large, double, and produced in very massive clusters, and of a light
bluish-lilac tint, when forced almost white. The first of this group, S.
vulgaris Lemoinei, was sent out about 1884, and was then awarded a
certificate by the R.H.S. The range in colouring of these Lilacs is
rather confined, so that the various forms resemble one another in no
small degree, particularly when the flowers are opened under glass. From
the large size of the flower bunches, and the individual flowers being
double, they are all of great beauty, and being quite hardy still
further enhances their value for outdoor gardening purposes.
The Lilacs grow freely in any soil of fair quality, but a free, rich,
and not too dry loam, would seem to suit the majority of these plants
best.