Syringa vulgaris 'Firmament' (Lilac 'Firmament')

Botanical name

Syringa vulgaris 'Firmament'

Other names

Lilac 'Firmament'

Genus

Syringa Syringa

Variety or Cultivar

'Firmament' _ 'Firmament' is an upright, bushy, deciduous shrub or small tree with ovate to heart-shaped, dark green leaves and dense, conical panicles of pink buds opening to strongly fragrant, single, lilac-blue flowers in late spring and early summer.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Flowers are strongly fragrant.

Habit

Upright, Bushy

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Colour

Flower

Lilac, Blue in Spring; Lilac, Blue in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Leaf mining moths , Thrips

Specific diseases

Lilac blight , Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Tolerates hard renovation pruning. Deadhead newly planted shrubs before seeds develop.

Propagation methods

Budding, Grafting, Layering, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Syringa vulgaris 'Firmament' (Lilac 'Firmament') will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

City, Cottage/Informal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Mulch regularly.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Syringa vulgaris 'Firmament' (Lilac 'Firmament')

Common pest name

Ash yellows

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Pathogen causing phytoplasma disease of certain tree species in the Americas. EU regulation already provides some mitigation against the risk of introduction; but could be further strengthened.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Syringa vulgaris 'Firmament' (Lilac 'Firmament')

Common pest name

Japanese long scale; Japanese maple scale; Long scale; Japanese; Pear white scale

Scientific pest name

Lopholeucaspis japonica

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Regulated only on Citrus at present; regulation on other hosts needs to be considered. Only likely to be a pest under glass in UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/