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Syringa reticulata

Japanese Tree Lilac · Tree Lilac

Family OleaceaeGenus Syringa

Wide plumes of small creamy-white flowers with protruding stamens, above pointed dark green leaves.
FlowerHerman, D. E., et al. (1996). North Dakota tree handbook.Public domain

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
shrub or treePlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, Shrub, TreePLANTS Database
Height
25-30 ft7.6-9.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
15-20 ft4.6-6.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Cream/Tan, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Amur, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Inner Mongolia, Japan and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
3-7Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sunExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The Japanese tree lilac comes from eastern Asia and is grown as an ornamental in Europe and North America. Reticulata means "netted". Wikipedia: Syringa reticulata

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 18, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

Germination happens during step 1, in 77 days.

69% germination in 56–77 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Syringa p. 219Public domain
Show the original text
Syringa (Oleaceae). S. pekinensis germ. 70(65% in 6-12 d) and 40(69% in 8-11 w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Syringa p. 219. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 12 days to germinate.

65% germination in 6–12 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Syringa p. 219Public domain
Show the original text
Syringa (Oleaceae). S. pekinensis germ. 70(65% in 6-12 d) and 40(69% in 8-11 w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Syringa p. 219. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

25% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Syringa p. 219Public domain
Show the original text
Syringa (Oleaceae). S. amurensis germ. 70(90%, md: t 35-45 d, 40/old) and 40-70(25-60%) using fresh seed or seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40. Curiously seed sown outdoors in Decdmber when collected germ. none, again showing that sowing at 40 is detrimental.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Syringa p. 219. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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