Ivory Silk Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk')
sih-RIN-gah reh-tik-yew-LAY-tah 'Ivory Silk'

Deciduous Perennial Shrub in the Oleaceae Family

Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' is a small, ornamental tree lilac cultivar that typically reaches 15-20 feet tall and 12-15 feet wide at maturity. It has an upright, multi-trunked growth habit with an oval to rounded canopy.

In late spring to early summer, 'Ivory Silk' produces an abundance of large, creamy white flower panicles up to 12 inches long. These showy, fragrant blooms cover the tree's glossy, dark green foliage, creating a stunning visual display. The flowers have a sweet, lemony scent reminiscent of privet.

This tree lilac cultivar is renowned for its adaptability, thriving in full sun to partial shade and a wide range of well-drained soil types. It is cold hardy in USDA zones 4-7. Regular pruning to remove suckers and maintain an attractive form is recommended.

Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' makes an excellent small ornamental tree for urban landscapes, parks, and residential gardens. Its compact size, showy blooms, and interesting exfoliating bark provide multi-season interest and appeal. The tree also attracts pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 15 - 20 feet tall. 12 - 15 feet wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium : Widely Adaptable
Zones 3a - 7b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Flowering Tree, Formal Garden, Fragrant Flowers, Fruit showy, Full Sun, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Rain Garden, Medium, Naturalizing, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Reblooms, Shade Tree, Showy Flowers, Shrub, Street Tree, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden Flowering Trees, Small Trees, Tree Form, Unique Trees
Bloom Period May to June
Flower Color Creamy White
Foliage Color
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!