4th link .. at the link .... ought to give you an idea ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: link

Syringa reticulata and Syringa pekinensis have both been available in the United States since the late 1800s. I have personally managed individuals from the turn of the century (early 1900s). These plants can be grown as multi-stemmed or single-stemmed small trees. That is a choice made by nurserymen growing the plant originally, and afterward by the party responsible for the landscape in which the tree is planted. There are a number of narrow selections of Syringa reticulata - 'Ivory Silk' is a popular and very common one. 'Ivory Tower' is another. These will have smoother gray bark. Syringa pekinensis is more variable in bark and form. A selection named 'China Snow' has fabulously exfoliating/peeling bark, competing with some of the ornamental cherries. It doesn't seem to have as heavy a flower display as many of the Japanese Tree Lilac clones. Bernheim has a collection of old specimens dating to the 1960s here in KY. These are durable plants, and ought to be used more widely.

Dear all, Thank you very much for your thought about Lilac and California Lilac. I had tried Lavender Lady when I started gardening, about 7 years ago. Being such a gardening newbie, I planted in full sun because "tag said full sun"! Needless to say, it was too much sun to this poor Southern Lavender did not make it. I also tried Texas Mountain Laurel, and I ended up pulling it because of the slow growth. It sit on the site for about 2 years and refused to grow for me. I planted Gardenia (Augustus) in the same hole, and this one is growing no problem. I guess I will stock up Lavender scented candles and be content.

There are so many lovely, fragrant plants that WILL grow here; gardenias, brugmansias, daturas, jasmines, gingers, michaelia, Ylang Ylang and the native Simpson Stopper to name a few. I've learned to just love what I can grow and forget trying to grow northern plants. When I moved to SW FL from SC, I brought a forsythia with me. It grew, but never bloomed. I finally gave up and tossed it. I also brought daffodil bulbs, which also never bloomed, so I tossed them too. I had an orange jasmine planted right outside my back porch that I adored because it smelled so luscious. No, we can't have lilacs, and the big box stores are going to play on your sentimentality for northern plants by offering those and hostas and bulbs every year, but don't be fooled. It's just a waste of time and money.