Meyer Lilac

Syringa meyeri

Olive Family (Oleaceae)

▲ flowers

▲ mature shrub

▲ foliage

Location on campus:  near BearPark South, and Strong Hall, along north-south sidewalk there

      Syringa meyeri: Meyer Lilac:

o   leaves opposite, deciduous, simple, ovate  3/4 to 1 ¾ inches long and 2 to 2/3 as wide; dark green, with purplish margin on young leaves; glossy on top and slightly more pale on undersides undersides;

o   flowers are pinkish-purple lilac in 4 inch tall by 2 ½ inch wide terminal panicles in late spring on previous season’s growth; slightly fragrant

o   grows 4 to 8 feet tall and equally wide or wider, with tight branching to give a dense shrub appearance; is a good hedging plant

o   prefers full sun for best flowering, tolerant of many soil types and has excellent cold hardiness

o   slow growth rate