Preston lilac (Syringa  × prestoniae 'Miss Canada') Synonyms:  S. 'Miss Canada' Genus:  Syringa This hardy, late-flowering hybrid bears perfumed rose-pink buds opening to pink flowers. It forms a shrub 10 feet high by 8 feet wide. Care:  Grow in reasonably fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Promptly deadhead spent blossoms to produce more robust blooms for the following year. Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain a healthy framework, remembering that most species form flowers the previous season. Plant in areas with good air circulation to thwart disease. Because lilacs are fire retardant, they can be considered for planting near homes that are susceptible to wildfires. Most lilacs require a period of chilling dormancy. Propagation:  Take softwood cuttings or layer in early summer; graft in winter; bud in summer. Problems:  Powdery mildew, dieback, leafroll virus, mycoplasma-like organisms (MLO), root knot nematode, Verticillium wilt, witches' broom, bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, borers, scale, caterpillars.

Overview

Height 6 ft. to 10 ft. Spread 6 ft. to 10 ft. Growth Habit Spreads Growth Pace Moderate Grower Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Medium Moisture Maintenance Low Characteristics Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Fragrant Flowers, Showy Flowers Bloom Time Spring Flower Color Pink Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower, Flowering Tree, Hedge, Naturalizing, Roadside, Screening Style Cottage Garden Seasonal Interest Spring Interest Type Shrubs