LILAC SPECIES 

S. MICROPHYLLA (Littleleaf Lilac) First reported in 1892 by the Catholic 
missionary, Rev. Giuseppe Giraldi, who found it in Shensi Province, China. 
A big, broad, well rounded shrub with twiggy branches and dense, small- 
leaved foliage. It comes into bloom shortly after the French Hybrids and is a 
mass of lovely, lacy, delicate pink blossoms of exquisite fragrance. Frequently 
blooms a second time, in late summer. Very hardy. A real addition to any 
garden. (Illus. p. 18). 
S. NANCEIANA—See Nanceiana Hybrids, p. 15. 
S. OBLATA (Early Lilac) Another favorite of Chinese gardeners, well known 
in Peiping. Never found growing wild. Brought to England by Robert Fortune 
in 1856. A tall, compact shrub with light lavender flowers. Blooms very early, 
about ten days before the French Hybrids. 
S. OBLATA DILATATA (Korean Early Lilac) A variety of S. oblata found 
in Korea and introduced into cultivation by EK. H. Wilson in 1917. A tall, 
willowy, vigorous shrub, flaunting clusters of large, very lovely flowers of 
rich lavender. Young leaves tinged copper; autumn foliage a beautiful bronze- 
green. It is highly questionable if the painstakingly produced Early Hybrids 
have ever surpassed, for sheer beauty, the handsome S. oblata dilatata. 
S. OBLATA GIRALDI NANA A dwarf form of the oblata group with 
typical oblata foliage and early blooming habit. Flowers pale lavender. 
S. PEKINENSIS—See Tree Lilacs, p. 23. 
S. PERSICA (Persian Lilac) The real Persian Lilac, not to be confused with 
the hybrid, S. chinensis, which has been widely sold under this name. Known 
only as a cultivated plant, mentioned by botanists as early as 1660. A small, 
dainty shrub of fountain-like growth habit. The slender branches droop grace- 
fully with a mass of showy, mauve-lilac blooms. (Illus. p. 5.) Very attractive, 
lacy foliage. (Illus. p. 17) Blossoms shortly after the Common Lilac. 
S. PERSICA ALBA (White Persian Lilac) A cultivated plant, known since 
1770. Differs from S. persica solely in the color of its blooms, which are very 
pale lavender when first opening and fade white. No absolutely pure snow- 
white form of S. persica is believed to exist. 
S. PERSICA LACINIATA (Cutleaf Persian Lilac) Lilacs with laciniate 
leaves were known to botanists in 1614. The form from which we propagate 
was found in a Cambridge garden by the well known lilac authority, Susan 
Delano McKelvey. Branches very slender, graceful, covered with feathery 
All of our lilacs are grown on their own roots 
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