It's also not impossible that this blooming one is a different lilac species from the others you have. "Lilac" as a word tends to cover a suite of species & hybrids from the genus Syringa. The one we tend to grow most is "common lilac" (Syringa vulgaris). There are also quite a few well known cultivated varieties of that species (Mr. Lincoln, Boule de Neige, Beauty of Moscow, Primrose, etc., etc.) However there are other species than S. vulgaris. One of the more famous of those is Korean lilac (Syringa meyeri). In any case, congratulations!

However, since the Japanese Tree Lilacs will grow bigger than the S. vulgaris hybrids you thought you were getting, you might want to rethink where they are. From the photos, it looks as though they would be good trees for the location. I am not sure, but they might be a more expensive plant than what you thought you were getting, so if you can live with them, and handle the extra height, you might have the better end of the deal. If you REALLY don't want them - more height, different plant than you contracted for, lack of fragrance, different time of bloom, etc., then contact the Nursery and ask them to replace them. They may not be willing to, who knows, but you should get SOME redress, if only a steep discount on your next major purchases.

I do plan on cancelling the chokecherry. Its too bad, because it is a good looking tree. I like the idea that it starts out green and turns purple. Any other trees that you would recommend that have the same color? I'll have to double check the Constellation Dogwood... perhaps it was mislabeled. Would this tree make a good shade tree for the west side of a patio? They're currently out of stock of the "Ivory Silk", so I'm sticking with the plain Lilac tree. I do like the Serviceberry. I'm a bit concerned that the "tree form" of it will sucker. Is this a valid concern? I've heard that the Chokecherry suckers bad because it's naturally a clump form. Is this the case with the Serviceberry? I'm more interested in the tree from. I'm really interested in a Catalpa, but I've heard the seed pods are messy and poisonous. I would really love the Kentucky Coffee tree... but I have the same concerns regarding the seed pods. The Worplesdon Sweetgum looked nice, except for the spiney balls it bears. I looked at the Mt.St. Helens Plum, but it was all eaten up by beetles. They have a great Autumn Gold Ginkgo, but I don't know if I have the patience for it. Another tree they have in stock (which I know nothing about) is the Katsura Tree. Thanks for the advice!

I've been very lucky... of all the hybrids I've bought, I think I only have a few that were mislabels... the majority were as labeled. I'm ok with it because I've found the proper names. I'd be upset if they turned out to be just no name mutts of questionable parentage. I agree, Dan... it's like there's no pride in the product being sold anymore... some just want to make that money, and they don't care what's being sold to make it. I've been this route with dog breeding for years... my pet peeve (no pun intended) are puppy mills and those who breed for the money, not for the good of the breed. They don't know the first thing about genetics or what constitutes a good specimen of the breed in question... they're only interested in the money to be made! Anyway... I thought Lilac Wonder had a purplish cast to it... somewhere between pink and purplish red.