
S. NANCEIANA—See Hybrid Lilacs, p. 14. 
S. OBLATA (Broadleaf Lilac) Introduced into England in 1856 by 
Robert Fortune, who came upon it in a Chinese garden. As a cultivated 
plant this species is common in Peiping. It has fragrant, pale, lilac colored 
flowers. Although a hardy shrub, S. oblata blossoms very early and in the 
North is sometimes injured by late frosts. 
S. OBLATA var. ALBA (S. oblata var. affinis) (S. affinis) (Early Lilac) 
A white form of S. oblata cultivated by the Chinese. At the present time 
we know of no plants of this variety anywhere in the United States. 
S. OBLATA var. DILATATA A variety of S. oblata with an attractive 
foliage which turns bronze-green in autumn. This early and very hardy 
shrub has pale lilac colored flowers; it is exceptionally beautiful when in 
bloom. Introduced into cultivation from Korea by E. H. Wilson in 1917. 
S. OBLATA var. GIRALDI (S. affinis giraldi) (Purple Early Lilac) A 
tall variety of S. oblata found in 1891 in Shensi Province, China by the 
Italian missionary, Rev. Giuseppe Giraldi. Its pleasingly fragrant, mauve 
colored blossoms are borne in large, loose clusters. A very early bloomer. 
The late F. N. Meyer, plant collector, reported it resistant to drought and 
alkali. 
S. OBLATA GIRALDI NANA _ A dwarf form of S. oblata var. giraldi 
which is about three feet high when fully grown. 
S. PALIBINIANA—See S. velutina var. palibiniana. 
S. PEKINENSIS—See Tree Lilacs, p. 23. 
S. PERSICA (Persian Lilac) This beautiful Lilac is known only as a 
cultivated plant, and is believed to be a garden form of S. persica var. 
laciniata. It is a low-growing shrub with enormous sprays made up of 
many clusters of rosy purple flowers. It is not nearly so plentiful as is 
generally supposed, owing to the fact that the Rouen Lilac, S. chinensts, 
has been widely distributed under its name. S. persica has never been 
known to bear seeds and is now believed to be a hybrid. 
S. PERSICA var. LACINIATA Although an old variety, mentioned 
by botanists as early as 1620, this species is almost unknown today. The 
most striking characteristic of S. persica var. laciniata is its unique foliage; 
its graceful branches are covered with feathery, pinnately lobed leaves 
resembling those of the locust. The blossoms are similar to those of S. 
persica, but somewhat darker. 
(For other forms of S. persica, see Mrs. McKelvey’s monograph, The Lilac, 
pages 467 to 468.) 
ALL OUR LILACS ARE GROWN ON THEIR OWN ROOTS 
LS: 
