Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Pink Cloud’

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 3, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Oleaceae

Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Pink Cloud’, commonly known as Hyacinth Lilac, is a deciduous shrub with a bushy habit. Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Pink Cloud’ is hybrid between Syringa oblata and Syringa vulgaris. Its mid green leaves are heart shaped. Its large fragrant pink flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. This shrub provides good sheltering habitat for birds. Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Pink Cloud’ may be used as a fragrant specimen shrub for sunny locations. Necessary pruning should be carried out after flowering.

Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Pink Cloud’ (05/05/24, Kew Gardens, London)

Syringa x hyacinthiflora ‘Pink Cloud’ Flower (05/05/24, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Syringa oblata

Syringa oblata (23/04/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Spring

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 5m

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Family: Oleaceae

Syringa oblata a deciduous shrub with a spreading habit. Its dark green leaves are ovate entire margins, up to 10cm long and 8cm broad. Its pale lilac fragrant flowers are arranged as conical terminal panicles, are up to 10cm long and 8cm across. Its brown fruit is a dry capsule which is up to 15mm long. Its roots may produce suckers.

Syringa oblata Flower (23/04/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Syringa oblata,  commonly known as Broadleaf Lilac and Early Blooming Lilac, is native to China and Korea. In its native habitat it grows in thickets and woodland margins.

Syringa is derived from the Greek syrinx meaning ‘a tube’, possibly alluding to its hollow stems. Oblata is derived from the Latin oblatus menaing ‘somewhat flattened at the ends’.

The landscape architect may find Syringa oblata useful as a free flowering shrub with an attractive scent. It is a suitable shrub for using to create a deciduous hedge.

Ecologically, Syringa oblata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects including bees.

Syringa oblata Leaf (23/04/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Syringa oblata prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers slightly acidic soil.

Syringa oblata requires little maintenance. Flowers may be removed after they have faded and before they set seed to increase flowering the following year. Any necessary pruning should be carried out after flowering. Syringa oblata flower on old wood and will produce more flowers if left unpruned. Over mature specimens may be rejuvenated by pruning the plant hard to encourage vigorous new growth.



Landscape Architecture

Fraxinus lanuginosa

Fraxinus lanuginosa (19/09/2015, Kew gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period:Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Oleaceae

Fraxinus lanuginosa is a deciduous tree with a round habit. Its mid green leaves are opposite, odd pinnate, up to 15cm long with up to 7 leaflets. Its leaflets are ovoid with serrulate margins, up to 7cm long and 4cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow to purple in autumn before they fall. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 50cm. Its bark is dark grey and smooth. Its cream/ white flowers are produced in panicles, each flower is composed of four petals and are up to 7mm long. Its fruit is a sumara which is up to 4cm long and 5mm broad, it is initially reddish ripening to brown.

Fraxinus lanuginosa Leaf (19/09/2015, Kew gardens, London)

Fraxinus lanuginosa, commonly known as Japanese Ash or Tamo, is native to Japan and the south east corner of Russia.

The etymological root of the binomial name Fraxinus is from the ancient Latin name for this tree.
Lanuginosa is derived from the Latin lanugo meaning ‘downy’.

The landscape architect may find  Fraxinus lanuginosa useful as an attractive parkland or street tree with attractive flowers and autumn leaf colour. This tree is tolerant of urban pollution.

Fraxinus lanuginosa Autumn Leaf (19/09/2015, Kew gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Fraxinus lanuginosa flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to some birds and mammals.

Fraxinus lanuginosa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Fraxinus lanuginosa requires little maintenance. Necessary pruning should be carried out in late winter.



Landscape Architecture